RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThough some relatives insist raising the vessel is the only way to find answers, others support leaving the wreckage untouched
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The U.S. Navy has reportedly declined a request from Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to salvage the sunken fishing vessel Lily Jean and recover the remains of six crew members who died on board.
In a letter dated July 27, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao informed Healey that the military branch would not conduct a recovery operation for the vessel, which sank in icy waters off Gloucester in January, as reported by Boston 25 News .
“Thank you for your inquiry requesting U.S. Navy assistance in recovering data and remains from the wreckage of Fishing Vessel (F/V) LILY JEAN,” Cao wrote. “We are deeply sympathetic toward the families affected by this tragedy. However, the U.S. Navy is unable to fulfill your request for salvage and recovery.”
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from elected officials and relatives of the victims. State Senator Bruce Tarr called the Navy’s stance “disappointing” and pledged to continue fighting for answers.
“We will continue to pursue all available avenues to obtain any possible information that can shed light on the cause of the sinking,” Tarr said in a statement.
The sister of crew member John Rousanidis told Boston 25 News that she believed raising the vessel was the only way to determine exactly what caused it to sink and to give the families closure.
In his July letter, Cao noted that federal investigative agencies already held sufficient evidence regarding the incident.
“We remain in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), who maintains the lead in the investigation into the sinking of F/V LILY JEAN, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),” Cao wrote. “It is our understanding both the USCG and the NTSB have the requisite information to conclude the investigation. We have received no request to recover the vessel.
“Furthermore, according to the Salvage Facilities Act, any services rendered would be on a reimbursable basis.”
Cao added that the Supervisor for Salvage and Diving operated under specific federal requirements.
“The Supervisor for Salvage and Diving operate under a government organization request, and contracting and funding would be required for the Supervisor for Salvage and Diving to initiate action,” he wrote.
Seven fishermen died when the Lily Jean went down in January. The body of Captain Gus Sanfilippo was the only one recovered from the water. The remaining six crew members — Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, Freeman Short, Jada Samitt, Sean Therrien, Paul Beal Senior and his son, Paul “PJ” Beal Jr., and John Paul Rousanidis — are believed to still be inside the wreckage.
Opinions among the victims’ families remain divided. A relative of crew members Paul Beal Sr. and his son, P.J. Beal, told Boston 25 News that their family supported the Navy’s stance and preferred that their loved ones remained at rest at sea.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that their joint investigation into the sinking was ongoing.
“We will remain in contact with the USCG and the NTSB as the investigation continues,” Cao said in his letter. “I am deeply sorry about the loss of life associated with this wreckage and our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those involved in this incident during their time of grief.”
The development comes just days before Gloucester’s annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service on Saturday, where family members of the Lily Jean crew are scheduled to gather.
The Independent has contacted the U.S. Navy and Gov. Maura Healey for comment.
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