After covering more than 1,000 square miles, the U.S. Coast Guard said it is suspending the search for the missing crewmembers from a fishing vessel lost off Massachusetts’ North Shore.The family of one of the victims, Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia, confirmed in a statement that she was on board the missing vessel. “It is with profound sadness and shattered hearts that we share the loss of our beloved Jada. She was vibrant and compassionate with an infectious smile and spirit. And, above all, she was brave and determined. She fiercely loved her friends and family. Today we are lost without her,” the statement read in part. “Jada was on the Lily Jean that day because of her strong belief in her work, not only as an observer, but as someone who knew her important role as a crew member.”The University of Vermont confirmed that Samitt was a recent graduate.”We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our recent graduates in a tragedy at sea Friday,” the university’s Executive Director of Communications, Adam White, said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Jada Samitt’s family during this heartbreaking time.” According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) around 6:50 a.m. Friday from the Lily Jean, a 72-foot fishing vessel.Seven people were on board. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that a fisheries observer from their agency was on board the vessel. The Coast Guard was unable to make contact with the vessel and immediately launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a small boat crew to begin searching the waters for the boat.According to officials, crews located a debris field in the vicinity of the EPIRB activation about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann.One body was located in the water, as well as an unoccupied life raft.Over approximately 24 hours, the Coast Guard said teams covered approximately 1,047 square miles using aircraft, cutters and small boats. No other crewmembers were recovered.”After consultation between search and rescue mission coordinators and on-scene commanders, the Coast Guard determined that all reasonable search efforts for the missing crewmembers had been exhausted,” Coast Guard officials said in a statement. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Officials said there were no obvious clues observed during the search and that more information, including names of those who were lost, is expected early next week. “The decision to suspend the search was incredibly difficult. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family members and friends of the lost crew of the Lilly Jean, and with the entire Gloucester community during this heartbreaking time,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston. Citing this tragedy and the upcoming weather forecast, NOAA Fisheries said it has suspended additional observer deployments until Feb. 4. Donations for the families can be made via Fishing Partnership Support Services and by notating that the donation is for Lily Jean.Grief in tight-knit Gloucester fishing communityAn emotional State Sen. Bruce Tarr also expressed his sympathies Saturday. He had previously said he was friends with the vessel’s captain.”It is true that we are deep in sorrow, but we are a strong community and we will rise. We will rise to this occasion and we will draw on our faith and our strength, and you will see that in all the hours that follow,” said Sen. Bruce Tarr.”We join with the families, the fishing community, the city of Gloucester, and I know people up and down the East Coast, who’ve reached out, in mourning this day,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “And in grieving seven brave individuals who were out there doing their job.”Local business owner Ashley Sullivan told NewsCenter 5 she knew the owner of the fishing vessel.”I hope everyone takes a step back and really looks at sacrifices these men make on a day-to-day basis just to put food on our table,” she said. “It’s very emotional and very heartbreaking.” The Lily Jean was featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men.”
After covering more than 1,000 square miles, the U.S. Coast Guard said it is suspending the search for the missing crewmembers from a fishing vessel lost off Massachusetts’ North Shore.
The family of one of the victims, Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia, confirmed in a statement that she was on board the missing vessel.
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“It is with profound sadness and shattered hearts that we share the loss of our beloved Jada. She was vibrant and compassionate with an infectious smile and spirit. And, above all, she was brave and determined. She fiercely loved her friends and family. Today we are lost without her,” the statement read in part. “Jada was on the Lily Jean that day because of her strong belief in her work, not only as an observer, but as someone who knew her important role as a crew member.”
The University of Vermont confirmed that Samitt was a recent graduate.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our recent graduates in a tragedy at sea Friday,” the university’s Executive Director of Communications, Adam White, said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Jada Samitt’s family during this heartbreaking time.”
According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) around 6:50 a.m. Friday from the Lily Jean, a 72-foot fishing vessel.
Seven people were on board. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that a fisheries observer from their agency was on board the vessel.
The Coast Guard was unable to make contact with the vessel and immediately launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a small boat crew to begin searching the waters for the boat.
According to officials, crews located a debris field in the vicinity of the EPIRB activation about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann.
One body was located in the water, as well as an unoccupied life raft.
Over approximately 24 hours, the Coast Guard said teams covered approximately 1,047 square miles using aircraft, cutters and small boats. No other crewmembers were recovered.
“After consultation between search and rescue mission coordinators and on-scene commanders, the Coast Guard determined that all reasonable search efforts for the missing crewmembers had been exhausted,” Coast Guard officials said in a statement.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Officials said there were no obvious clues observed during the search and that more information, including names of those who were lost, is expected early next week.
“The decision to suspend the search was incredibly difficult. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family members and friends of the lost crew of the Lilly Jean, and with the entire Gloucester community during this heartbreaking time,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.
Citing this tragedy and the upcoming weather forecast, NOAA Fisheries said it has suspended additional observer deployments until Feb. 4.
Donations for the families can be made via Fishing Partnership Support Services and by notating that the donation is for Lily Jean.
Grief in tight-knit Gloucester fishing community
An emotional State Sen. Bruce Tarr also expressed his sympathies Saturday. He had previously said he was friends with the vessel’s captain.
“It is true that we are deep in sorrow, but we are a strong community and we will rise. We will rise to this occasion and we will draw on our faith and our strength, and you will see that in all the hours that follow,” said Sen. Bruce Tarr.
“We join with the families, the fishing community, the city of Gloucester, and I know people up and down the East Coast, who’ve reached out, in mourning this day,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “And in grieving seven brave individuals who were out there doing their job.”
Local business owner Ashley Sullivan told NewsCenter 5 she knew the owner of the fishing vessel.
“I hope everyone takes a step back and really looks at sacrifices these men make on a day-to-day basis just to put food on our table,” she said. “It’s very emotional and very heartbreaking.”
The Lily Jean was featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men.”
