Gloucester Mourns as Seven Lost at Sea Are Identified; Investigation into Fishing Vessel Tragedy Begins
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — The tight-knit fishing community of Gloucester is in mourning this week after the U.S. Coast Guard released the names of the seven people lost at sea when the 72-foot fishing vessel Lily Jean sank on January 30. A memorial service at Saint Ann Church on February 1 honored the victims, even as search efforts were suspended and an official investigation got underway.
The Coast Guard confirmed the identities as Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo; NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt, 22; and crew members Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, 33, Freeman Short, and Sean Therrien. The agency was alerted just before 7 a.m. last Friday when the boat's emergency beacon activated roughly 25 miles off Cape Ann. Crews later recovered one unresponsive person from the water and located an empty life raft. After scouring more than 2,000 square miles over 38 hours, the search was called off on Saturday.
"All are presumed dead," the Coast Guard stated, adding that the formal investigation into the fatal incident, aided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), "is expected to take several months to complete."
Friends and family remembered the crew as experienced, dedicated, and passionate about the sea. Captain Sebastian Noto, a close friend of Sanfilippo, told local media he last spoke with the captain around 3 a.m. on the day of the sinking. "He was calm," Noto recalled. "He just couldn't do the cold because the air holes was freezing. He said, 'I quit. It's too cold.'"
John Rousanidis's sister described him as a generous and happy person who loved the sea, fishing, and boxing. Jada Samitt, a recent graduate of the University of Vermont, had moved from Virginia to pursue a passion for environmental biology and marine life. "This was her dream," said her aunt, Heather Michaels. "This is something she loved and put her heart and soul into."
The tragedy underscores the perennial dangers of the commercial fishing industry, one of the most hazardous professions in the United States. For Gloucester—a port with a centuries-old fishing heritage famously depicted in "The Perfect Storm"—the loss is a painful reminder of the ocean's unforgiving nature.
Community Voices: Reactions and Reflections
Michael Thorne, Retired Gloucester Fisherman: "It's a hard life, always has been. Gus was a good captain, knew these waters. Things can change in a heartbeat out there. The investigation needs to be thorough—for the families, and for everyone still going out."
Reverend Sarah Chen, Local Community Chaplain: "The service was about coming together in grief and love. These weren't just names; they were fathers, daughters, friends. The community's strength will be vital in the long months ahead as we seek answers and healing."
David Kline, Maritime Safety Advocate (Sharper Tone): "How many more wakes do we need to hold before real action is taken? EPIRBs and life rafts aren't enough. Were safety protocols reviewed? Was the vessel fit for those conditions? 'Expected to take months' for an investigation is unacceptable when lives are on the line every day."
Elena Rodriguez, Marine Biology Student at UMass Boston: "Jada's story hits close to home. She was just starting, driven by love for the ocean. It's a devastating loss for science and conservation. It reminds us that field work, even observation, carries immense risk."
The Coast Guard and NTSB continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the sinking of the Lily Jean.