Massachusetts Seeks Navy’s Help in Fishing Boat Tragedy

Massachusetts officials are reaching out to the U.S. Navy for assistance in recovering critical equipment from the wreckage of a fishing vessel that sank in January, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.

In a correspondence to the Secretary of the Navy, Governor Maura Healey and state Senator Bruce Tarr requested support in retrieving a video recorder and hard drive from the site of the incident. Investigators are still searching for answers regarding the case.

The governor’s office stated that “Governor Healey is urging the Navy to recover the equipment on the ship that may hold vital information about the sinking. Additionally, he’s asking the Navy to assess the possibility of retrieving the remains of the crew, reflecting the wishes of the families involved.”

On January 31, it was reported that Gloucester’s fishing community is in mourning following the tragedy. The boat sank while returning to shore with seven individuals on board.

A few days later, a search team recovered one body from the debris field, along with an empty life raft, according to WJAR.

In remarks made earlier, Senator Tarr highlighted the risks faced by fishermen daily, stating, “Every day, men and women leave ports like Gloucester to harvest the ocean’s bounty for our people and our nation, and they run the real risk of never returning home. The consequences of that risk are painfully real.”

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard are actively involved in the ongoing investigation.

National authorities have indicated that the Navy plans to employ a robotic submarine to assist in recovering the equipment. The company responsible for the installation believes there is still retrievable video footage that could provide further insights, as reported by WCVB.

A Navy spokesperson confirmed receipt of the request, stating, “The Office of the Secretary of the Navy has received the communication. A response is being prepared and will be sent directly to the Governor’s Office.”

While the body of Captain Accurcio “Gus” Sanfilippo has been recovered, the remains of the other crew members—Freeman Short, Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Roussanidis, Shawn Therian, and Jada Summitt—are still missing.