Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has requested the U.S. Navy's assistance in recovering critical evidence and the remains of crew members from the sunken fishing vessel Lily Jean, which sank off the coast of Massachusetts on January 30. The 72-foot commercial fishing boat went down with seven people on board, and only one body has been recovered so far.
Healey and State Sen. Bruce Tarr sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting help in retrieving a video recorder and hard drive from the wreck, which lies more than 300 feet deep in the Atlantic. The equipment could provide crucial insights into the cause of the sinking. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has declined to lead the retrieval effort, prompting the governor's request to the Navy.
The governor also asked the Navy to assess the feasibility of recovering the remaining six crew members, including Captain Accursio 'Gus' Sanfilippo, whose body was the only one recovered. The other victims include Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt.
Families of the victims have expressed hope that the recovered evidence and remains will provide closure. Donna Short, mother of Freeman Short, emphasized the importance of retrieving the crew, stating, 'What caused it is not as important as retrieving the crew.' The governor's office has previously called on the NTSB and U.S. Coast Guard to investigate the vessel's equipment.
The Office of the Secretary of the Navy confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that a response is being prepared.