Coast Guard Searching for Survivors After Fishing Boat Sinks Off Massachusetts

One body recovered as search continues for missing crew members

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:55am

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The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a search and rescue operation after a 72-foot commercial fishing vessel, the Lily Jean, sank 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The Coast Guard received an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert and launched helicopter and boat crews to search the area. Debris, an unoccupied life raft, and one body have been recovered so far, but the search continues for the seven people, including a NOAA observer, who were on board the vessel when it sank.

Why it matters

Commercial fishing is a vital industry for the coastal city of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the loss of the Lily Jean and its crew is a devastating tragedy felt throughout the community. The incident raises questions about maritime safety and the risks faced by fishermen working in dangerous conditions.

The details

The Coast Guard received the EPIRB alert around 6:50 a.m. on Friday and immediately launched search and rescue efforts, including an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester. The Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay was also diverted to assist. Rescue crews found debris, an unoccupied life raft, and one body near the location of the EPIRB activation, but the search continues for the six other crew members.

  • The Coast Guard received the EPIRB alert around 6:50 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • The search and rescue operation is ongoing.

The players

Lily Jean

A 72-foot commercial fishing vessel that sank 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts.

Gus Sanfilippo

The captain of the Lily Jean, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman who was featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show 'Nor'Easter Men'.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

A NOAA observer was on board the Lily Jean when the vessel sank.

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What they’re saying

“I'm heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean and have offered our full support to Mayor Lundberg, Harbormaster Lucido and the Coast Guard. I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time.”

— Maura Healey, Massachusetts Governor (Instagram)

“He's a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you. He is very, very skilled at what he does. … I'm going to make a prediction. Tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow, you're going to see strength. The strength that has made this the most historic fishing port in the United States of America.”

— Bruce Tarr, State Senator, R-Gloucester (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The Coast Guard will continue the search and rescue operation, and authorities will investigate the cause of the sinking of the Lily Jean.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the dangers and risks faced by commercial fishermen working in the treacherous waters off the Massachusetts coast. The loss of the Lily Jean and its crew is a devastating blow to the tight-knit fishing community of Gloucester, underscoring the need for improved maritime safety measures and support for those who make their living on the sea.