Navy denies initial request by Mass. officials to help recover remains of Lily Jean crew members
By Arielle Mitropoulos
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GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WCVB) — The U.S. Navy has told the state of Massachusetts that at this time, it is unable to help recover the remains of some of the crew of the Lily Jean, the commercial fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Cape Ann in January.
“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,” Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao wrote in a letter obtained by NewsCenter 5 to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
The letter is dated Monday, July 27, but it was not delivered until Tuesday, August 4.
In May, Healey, alongside State Sen. Bruce Tarr, had sent a letter to the Navy, asking for assistance, in retrieving some of the crew, in keeping with the wishes of each family, as well as critical data equipment, that they stressed would be critical to ensuring the safety of other crews at sea in the future.
At the time, Tarr said that he expected to receive a response within a few days.
However, it took nearly three months to get a response, after repeated requests from NewsCenter 5 during that time for an update on the status of the return correspondence.
“We are reviewing correspondence from the Navy and remain hopeful for federal assistance,” said Karissa Hand, spokesperson for the Governor. “We are also continuing to move forward with state efforts to investigate crucial equipment on board and bring closure to the families of the lost crew members.”
Tarr echoed similar sentiments.
“Given the unique capabilities of the United States Navy to assist with recovery efforts regarding the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean, today’s response to the request I have made with Governor Healey is disappointing,” he said.
According to the Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard remains the lead in the investigation into the sinking of the Lily Jean, adding that it is the Navy’s “understanding both the USCG and the NTSB have the requisite information to conclude the investigation.”
It is unclear what the Navy meant by “concluding” the investigation, and whether that would mean understanding why the boat sank, or retrieving the remains of those lost.
The Navy stated that it has not received a request to recover the vessel.
NewsCenter 5 has reached out to the Navy for clarification on if the state’s letter for assistance does not meet the criteria for such a request, because it was asking for the recovery of only certain crew members and equipment, or if that request for recovery much come from the Coast Guard.
“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.
We will remain in contact with the USCG and the NTSB as the investigation continues,” Cao said. “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.”
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