Coast Guard Names 7 Victims, Opens Probe in Deadly Lily Jean Sinking

The U.S. Coast Guard has identified all seven people who died when the 72‑foot commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean went down without a mayday call about 25 miles off Gloucester, Massachusetts, and has launched a formal marine casualty investigation into the sinking. Those killed include captain Accursio "Gus" Sanfilippo; crew members Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short and Sean Therrien; and NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt, who was aboard to collect catch data. The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday after finding no survivors in the frigid North Atlantic and said a district‑level investigation will now gather evidence and testimony, particularly looking for any broader safety or design issues with this class of vessel. NOAA has temporarily suspended deployment of federal observers through Wednesday because of the loss and severe Northeast weather, and Gloucester officials will add the Lily Jean crew’s names to a city memorial honoring thousands of fishermen lost at sea. The tragedy echoes Gloucester’s long, deadly fishing history, including the Andrea Gail disaster that inspired 'The Perfect Storm,' and will likely intensify scrutiny of safety practices in New England’s deep‑sea fleet.