Longtime fisherman Richard Beal is among the family and friends awaiting word about the fate of the crew of the local fishing vessel Lily Jean, which sank off the Gloucester coast Friday morning. The Coast Guard is searching for the vessel and possible survivors.
Rescue officials recovered one body after the 80-foot vessel sank approximately 22 miles off the coast of Gloucester, City Council President Tony Gross said Friday morning. The identity of the deceased has not be made public.
Beal confirmed his brother Paul Beal, 70, was aboard.
“Other than being on the boat, which is missing, I haven’t got any information,” Richard Beal said, struggling to talk. “He was my brother. He’s been fishing since he was in high school, at Rockport High.”
He said Paul Beal graduated in the early 1970s from Rockport High School.
Gross identified the Lily Jean’s skipper and owner is Gus Sanfilippo. He said six people were onboard, but the Coast Guard said Friday evening there were seven, one of who was an observer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Coast Guard said it received an alert from the Lily Jean’s emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at 6:50 a.m.
Attempts to contact the vessel were meet with no response.
The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester to search the area. Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay was diverted to assist the search.
The Coast Guard said its cutter Sturgeon is continuing the search throughout the night.
The rescue crews located a debris field, including an empty life raft, in the vicinity of the EPIRB activation. One unresponsive individual was recovered from the water.
Conditions at 7 a.m., according to a National Weather Service buoy, were winds of 24 mph waves at a height of 4 feet, a water temperature of 39 degrees Fahrnheit, and an air temperature of 12 degrees F. The National Weather Service had also issued a warning about freezing spray and a small crafts advisory.
Gross said it was conjecture but that ice buildup on the vessel from freezing spray might have been a factor in its sinking.
“Ice might have played a factor,” said Gross. “That makes a vessel top-heavy.”
Caoin and Ashley Sullivan said Friday the Beals were customers at Shoretech, their Gloucester-based marine electronic, navigational and security needs company.
“Apparently, he had radioed in last night and he said he was having problems with the airbrakes and winches,” Caoin Sullivan said of the Lily Jean. “So, he started to head-in. It’s a mess. Something happened really quickly. It’s awful, that’s the only word to describe it.”
Sullivan said news of the accident will be difficult for many in the Gloucester fishing community.
“It’s going to hit everybody pretty hard,” he said. “It’s a tight community.”
The Lily Jean appeared on the History Channel’s 2012 fishing mini-series, “Nor’easter Men,’ a three-hour documentary that focused on draggers from several New England ports.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Gross. “It’s a heartbreak for the families involved. Gloucester is a small community. It just shows how fragile the nature of it is. It brings home the delicate balance can be. It’s just awful.”
Mayor Paul Lundberg said the situation was sad and would affect many in Gloucester
“Our hearts go out to the families involved,” he said. “It’s impactful because of the many people who are part of the fishing community. A lot of people are going to be impacted.”
Gov. Maura Healey, who has family ties to Gloucester, said she was “heartbroken over the devastating news.” She offered full support for Lundberg, Harbormaster (Chris) Lucido and the Coast Guard.
“I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time,” Healey said. “Fishermen and fishing vessels are core to the history, economy and culture of Gloucester and Cape Ann, and this tragedy is felt all across the state.”
This story will be updated at gloucestertimes.com.
Staff Writer Andrea Holbrook contributed to this report. Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.