GLOUCESTER, Mass. — One person is dead, and six others are missing as an active rescue operation is underway for a missing fishing vessel in Gloucester.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, crews received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon from a fishing vessel 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, Friday morning.
At approximately 6:50 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders received an alert registered to the 72-foot fishing vessel ‘Lily Jean’.
Seven people were confirmed to be aboard the fishing vessel.
#BREAKING: 7 were on board the Lily Jean, a 72-foot fishing vessel out of Gloucester that sunk miles offshore this morning.
— Daniel Coates (@danielcoates_25) January 30, 2026
1 body was found. 6 others are still missing, the @USCG says. @maura_healey, other officials say it’s still a “search and rescue” operation. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/7MPvIiGGo2
The Coast Guard attempted to contact the vessel with no response and issued an urgent marine information broadcast.
A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester were sent to search the area.
The rescue crews arrived on scene around 7:15 a.m. and located a debris field in the vicinity of the EPIRB activation.
One unresponsive body was recovered from the water, the Coast Guard says.
A life raft associated with the vessel was found, but unoccupied, and search efforts are ongoing.
The ship, 'Lily Jean’, is a trawler designed for deep-sea fishing.
The mayor’s office told Boston 25 that officials are “deeply concerned.”
Governor Healey issued a statement, saying that she’s “heartbroken over the devastating news.”
“I’m heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean and have offered our full support to Mayor Lundberg, Harbormaster Lucido, and the Coast Guard,” the Governor said. “I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time. 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.”
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) commended those who work the ports and who carry “the very real risk of not returning home.”
“Every day, men and women leave ports like Gloucester to harvest the bounty of the ocean for the people of our state and our nation, carrying with them the very real risk of not returning home. The sinking of the F/V Lily Jean makes the consequences of that risk painfully real.
Tonight, we are deeply appreciative of the ongoing and courageous efforts of the United States Coast Guard, whose personnel continue to search through the night, in dangerous conditions, for the crew of the F/V Lily Jean. Thank you also to the Gloucester Police Department, Gloucester’s Harbor Masters, elected officials and all of the those who are supporting the community during this difficult time. We are praying for those aboard the vessel and their families who are enduring the anguish of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.
Most of all, we stand together with those families, sustained by the enduring strength, unity, compassion, and faith that have long defined the Gloucester community since its earliest days.”
— Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester)
No additional information has been released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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