GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Thursday’s newly obtained images of the Lily Jean fishing vessel resting on the ocean floor are intensifying a debate among family members over whether the wreck should be recovered.
The Lily Jean sank off the coast of Gloucester in January, claiming the lives of all seven people on board. Captain Gus Sanfilippo was the only victim whose body was recovered.
The development comes days after the U.S. Navy declined a request to help salvage the vessel and recover the remains of the six crew members still believed to be inside.
Some families support the Navy’s decision, saying their loved ones should remain at sea. Others say recovering the vessel is the only way to determine what caused the tragedy.
Among them is Keri Rousanidis, whose brother, John Rousanidis, died in the sinking.
“He was all for his family. He never said no to his family,” Rousanidis told Boston 25 News.
Calling the Navy’s decision “horrible,” she added, “We want answers and we’re not getting those answers.”
Yesterday, several family members shared never-before-seen images and 3D renderings of the Lily Jean with Boston 25 News. They said the images were obtained by the Coast Guard and show the vessel resting more than 300 feet below the surface.
Rousanidis pointed to what she believes may be damage to the boat’s hull and questioned whether it played a role in the sinking.
“There was no Mayday call, so they didn’t have time to save themselves,” she said. “We want to know, was it a collision?”
“We just want the truth. What happened?”
The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard continue to investigate the sinking.
While some family members are pushing for the vessel to be raised, others have told Boston 25 they do not want the wreck or the crew disturbed.
Still, Rousanidis believes recovering the vessel is essential.
“The evidence lies on the bottom of the ocean, and we want those answers,” she said. “The only way to get those answers is to raise the vessel.”
The NTSB referred questions about the investigation and the images to the Coast Guard. Boston 25 News has reached out to the Coast Guard and has not yet received a response.
The update comes ahead of Gloucester’s annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service, where families of the Lily Jean crew are expected to gather and remember their loved ones.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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