Massachusetts Governor Seeks Navy Help in Fishing Boat Sinking Investigation

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has reached out to the U.S. Navy regarding the investigation into the sinking of a fishing boat earlier this year that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals. The Navy has confirmed receipt of the request.

In a letter sent this week alongside state Senator Bruce Tarr, Healey asked for assistance in recovering a video recorder and hard drive from the wreck of the Lily Jean. This vessel sank over 300 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 40 miles off Massachusetts’ coast in January. The aim is to determine what led to the disaster, according to WFXT-TV.

“The Office of the Secretary of the Navy has received the communication,” a spokesperson noted over the weekend. “They are working on responses that will be directed to the governor’s office.”

The governor also expressed a desire to recover the six bodies that remain missing from the 72-foot fishing boat, which went down on January 30.

Identities of the Crew Members

The only body recovered so far is that of Lieutenant Lily Jean Accurcio “Gus” Sanfilippo. The other deceased crew members include Paul Beall Jr., John Rozanidis, Freeman Short, Shawn Therian, and NOAA Fisheries Monitor Jada Summitt. Freeman Short’s mother, Donna, shared her thoughts with WFXT, noting that while understanding the cause of the sinking is important, recovering the crew takes precedence. She recalled speaking with him just days before his trip, saying he told her, “Hey, mom, you know I’m going,” to which she replied, “I love you.” Recovering his body is essential for her, as she wants to lay him to rest alongside his veteran grandfathers.

Investigation Progress

The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard are currently involved in the probe into the sinking. Following the incident, the Coast Guard called off the search for the missing crew on January 31, just a day after the sinking, indicating no progress had been made. An emergency position indicating the vessel’s distress was received around 6:50 a.m. on the day of the sinking.

Coast Guard members attempted to establish contact with the boat, but when they did not receive any, an Emergency Marine Information Broadcast was issued. Over 1,000 square miles were searched in 24 hours, leading to the discovery of debris, the captain’s body, and an unoccupied life raft that had been deployed.

On January 31, after exhausting search efforts, officials declared that all reasonable actions to locate the missing crew had been completed. The Coast Guard stated that their investigation aims to enhance safety at sea rather than to assess civil or criminal liability.

FOX News Digital has reached out to Governor Healey’s office for any additional comments.