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Coast Guard Names 7 Lost in Lily Jean Sinking and Launches Formal Investigation

A Coast Guard investigation with NTSB support now seeks to determine why the vessel sank.

Overview

  • The Coast Guard formally identified captain Accursio "Gus" Sanfilippo, Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt.
  • The vessel’s emergency beacon activated around 6:50 a.m. Friday about 25 miles off Cape Ann, and responders found a debris field, one body, and an empty life raft with no mayday reported.
  • After covering roughly 1,000 to 1,047 square miles with aircraft, cutters, and small boats, the Coast Guard suspended the search Saturday after exhausting reasonable efforts.
  • NOAA temporarily paused observer deployments through Wednesday following Samitt’s death and severe regional weather, and officials cautioned against speculating about the cause.
  • Gloucester held a memorial mass and plans to add the seven names to the city’s fishermen’s memorial, with local leaders noting the vessel is unlikely to be recovered.