Coast Guard Finds Unresponsive Fisherman Amid Search for TV-Famous Vessel & Crew Lost in Brutal East Coast Storm!

Fishing boat, the 72-foot Lily Jean, was sailing off Cape Ann, Mass., when authorities were alerted that it was missing.

Around 6:50 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert, according to a USCG news release. The agency attempted to contact the vessel but received no response, prompting the issuance of an urgent marine information broadcast.

Several local agencies, including the USCG’s Air Station Cape Cod, Station Gloucester and Cutter Thunder Bay, were recruited to assist in the search. A “debris field” near the EPIRB activation was located by the search teams.

One unresponsive body and an unoccupied life raft associated with the vessel were found.

The USCG’s search efforts remain ongoing. USCG’s Timothy Jones said the search will continue throughout the night, with hopes of finding more people. Republican State Sen. Bruce Tarr confirmed seven people were on the vessel, ABC 4 reports.

PEOPLE reached out to USCG for comment.

Flowers are seen placed at the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Mass. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

The Lily Jean fishing vessel is best known for being featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel’s Nor’Easter Men. Throughout the episode, the fishing crew is filmed fishing for haddock, lobster and flounder in dangerous weather conditions for extended periods of time.

The episode highlighted its captain, Gus Sanfilippo, who is a fifth-generation commercial fisherman.

On Friday, Jan. 30, Tarr said Sanfilippo is “very, very skilled at what he does,” ABC 4 reports. “He’s a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you.”

Related Stories

‘Much-Loved’ Fishing Boat Captain Missing for Days After Staying on Vessel as It Sank

Captain and Girlfriend Found Dead on Fishing Boat After Going Missing For Several Days: Reports

“I’m going to make a prediction. Tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow, you’re going to see strength. The strength that has made this the most historic fishing port in the United States of America,” Tarr said in reference to Gloucester, Mass., which has been described as a seaport that has been functioning for over 400 years.

“Gloucester has a long fishing history and that fishing history includes tragic loss, and it appears we’re suffering another one of those right now,” he said, according to WMTW.

Local business owner Ashley Sullivan told the outlet the incident is “very emotional and very heartbreaking.” She added, “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.”

Fishing boat sinks off Gloucester, MA.Visions of America/ Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey released a statement expressing that she is “heartbroken over the devastating news.”

“I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time,” she 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.”