​​On January 30, 2026, about 0644 local time (eastern standard time), the US Coast Guard received a distress signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) registered to the 72-foot-long commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean. The vessel was reported to have seven persons on board (including a NOAA fisheries observer), and the last known position was approximately 22 nautical miles east of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Coast Guard search and rescue assets located the EPIRB, a liferaft, and a debris field approximately 4 nautical miles in length. One person was recovered from the water deceased.

The Coast Guard has declared this incident a major marine casualty. The Coast Guard will lead the investigation, and the NTSB will investigate and determine the probable cause.​