As the Coast Guard launched an investigation Monday into the sinking Friday of the fishing vessel Lily Jean with all seven hands, state and local officials had few new details to offer, saying it’s early in the process and any conclusions have yet to be determined.
Also Monday, the Coast Guard officially identified the seven, presumed dead, as Capt. Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, of Gloucester, and crewmen Paul Beal and his son Paul Beal Jr., both of Gloucester, John Rousanidis and Sean Therrien, both of Peabody, and Freeman Short of Scituate/Marshfield. Also working on board was Jada Samitt, a NOAA fisheries observer.
During a news conference held Monday at the Gloucester Harbormaster’s Office, state and local officials touched upon the investigation’s timeline.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, noted that the vessel is in deep water and that gathering any information about it is a great challenge.
“The recovery of a sunken fishing vessel is an extraordinary undertaking, particularly when it is in 350 to 400 feet of water, and I would not want to create an expectation that it will ever be brought to the surface.
“There are active discussions going on … about what those steps might include,” he said. “But I would not want to give anyone the impression that it is a given that the boat will be recovered. But as part of the ongoing investigations, there will be data gathering and there may be other forms of looking at its condition.”
He emphasized that this is a developing situation, and officials will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
Al Cottone, executive director of the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, told those gathered that much of Gloucester is coming to grips with the reality of the tragedy.
“This has been an extremely difficult situation over the last few days,” said Cottone, who is also captain and owner of the fishing vessel Sabrina Maria. “This is the worst nightmare come true. It’s a tragedy that’s still fresh and it is going to take a long time to heal.”
Cottone’s comments came only hours after the names of the crew aboard the Lily Jean were formally released.
“This confirmation is difficult for all of us,” he said. “It’s painful to read the names. But Gloucester will continue to stay strong. We will continue to show that strength. The way this community has responded to this is incredible.”
Cottone said city officials have met and worked to comfort the families of the lost fishermen.
“You could tell they were the salt of the Earth people,” he said. “We want the families to know we’re still grieving for them.”
Gloucester Chief Administrative Officer Jack Clarke echoed a similar sentiment.
“It’s only been hours since the loss of the Lily Jean,” he said. “It’s not easy but we’re a tight-knit community.”
A formal investigation into the sinking of the vessel has been launched by the U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District, which in a prepared statement said the purpose of the investigation will be to identify measures that might improve the safety of life and property at sea — and not to assign civil or criminal blame.
The Coast Guard will be joined by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating. The findings will determine whether the accident calls for further review by a Marine Board of Investigation.
Tarr said while the investigation into the cause of the sinking has commenced, it is too soon to render any conclusions. He warned against people spreading rumors and misinformation about the tragedy.
“None of us should speculate about that,” Tarr said.
But Tarr only had positive words to share about those who were lost.
“The seven were the finest kind,” he said.
City Council President Tony Gross said city officials have stepped up to support the families of the missing crew members.
“It makes me very proud of our city,” he said. “We’ve done the very best we could have done. Gloucester has done a wonderful job putting these families on our shoulders.”
The investigation is expected to take several months to complete.
Staff Writer Gail McCarthy contributed to this story. {/em}{em}Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.