Coast Guard Searching for Missing Fishing Boat Off Massachusetts Coast

Crews find debris and a body in the water near where emergency alert was activated

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:55pm

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The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing 72-foot fishing vessel called the 'Lily Jean' off the coast of Massachusetts. The Coast Guard received an emergency alert from the boat around 7 a.m. on Friday, about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann. Crews responding to the alert found some debris in the water near where the alert was activated, as well as a body. They also found a lifeboat with no one on it. Search efforts are ongoing, but it's unclear how many people were on the boat.

Why it matters

Fishing accidents and disappearances at sea are a tragic reality, with the Coast Guard often called upon to conduct search and rescue operations in dangerous conditions. This incident highlights the risks faced by commercial fishermen and the importance of maritime safety protocols.

The details

According to the report, the Coast Guard received an emergency alert from the 72-foot fishing vessel 'Lily Jean' around 7 a.m. on Friday. The alert came from about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Crews responding to the alert found debris in the water near where the alert was activated, as well as a body. They also discovered a lifeboat with no one on board. Search efforts are ongoing, but the number of people who may have been on the boat is currently unknown.

  • The Coast Guard received the emergency alert from the 'Lily Jean' around 7 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Lily Jean

A 72-foot fishing vessel that issued an emergency alert off the coast of Massachusetts.

U.S. Coast Guard

The federal agency responsible for maritime search and rescue operations.

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The takeaway

This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by commercial fishermen and the critical role the Coast Guard plays in responding to emergencies at sea. It highlights the need for continued focus on maritime safety and the development of technologies to improve rescue operations in remote and hazardous ocean environments.