One person dead, 6 missing after fishing boat Lily Jean sinks off Gloucester
One person is dead and six others are missing after the fishing vessel Lily Jean sank off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts on Friday morning.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the 72-foot boat activated its emergency beacon 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann Friday at about 6:50 a.m.
Rescue crews later found a "debris field" near that area, the Coast Guard said. The water temperature there is about 40 degrees.
One unresponsive body was recovered from the water during the search, the Coast Guard said. A life raft from the boat was also found, but it was empty. The identity of the person who was recovered and those who are missing have not been released.
"The skipper of this vessel is well known to all of us," said state Sen. Bruce Tarr. "He's one of the kindest, nicest individuals on the face of this earth. He is very skilled, his family comes from a tradition of fishing, and he is one of those in this port that is considered among the best."
No other information was immediately available while the search is ongoing. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and Coast Guard boats are involved in the search.
"I just want to say as a commercial fisherman, we share a brotherhood out there that it's hard for some people to understand," said Al Cottone, Director of Fisheries in Gloucester. "This one is very personal to me, and I don't think I can add any more than that."
The temperature in the Boston area was around zero degrees Friday morning.
In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said she is "heartbroken" about the sinking of the Lily Jean.
"I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time," Healey said. "Fishermen and fishing vessels are core to the history, economy and culture of Gloucester and Cape Ann, and this tragedy is felt all across the state."
Gloucester is about 35 miles northeast of Boston.