A fishing vessel named Lily Jean went missing off the Massachusetts coast, carrying seven people, prompting a Coast Guard search and rescue operation. Authorities located debris and recovered one unresponsive body from the water.
On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue mission after receiving an alert from the 72-foot fishing boat Lily Jean, located about 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The vessel, which had a crew of seven, is believed to have sunk in the area.
Republican State Senator Bruce Tarr confirmed to reporters that evening that seven individuals were aboard the boat. The Coast Guard's efforts included deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, a small boat crew, and the Cutter Thunder Bay. They were unable to contact the vessel prior to launching the operation.
Search teams discovered a debris field near the alert's origin and an empty life raft. One person was recovered from the water but was unresponsive. The operation remained in search and rescue mode into the evening.
The Lily Jean and its captain, Gus Sanfilippo—a fifth-generation commercial fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts—gained attention in a 2012 episode of the History Channel's “Nor’Easter Men.” The show depicted the crew enduring harsh weather conditions on Georges Bank, spending up to 10 days at sea targeting haddock, lobster, and flounder.
