Coast Guard Suspends Search After Lily Jean Sinks Off Cape Ann

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended search-and-rescue operations on Saturday after saying "all reasonable search efforts for the missing crewmembers" of the 72-foot Lily Jean had been exhausted, officials said.

The Lily Jean sank about 25 miles off Cape Ann while returning to Gloucester with seven people aboard, and searchers found a debris field, a body in the water and an empty life raft, according to the Coast Guard.

Captain Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston, said frigid temperatures, 7-to-10-foot seas and the absence of a mayday call complicated nighttime rescue efforts and that the Coast Guard is investigating the sinking.

Crews covered about 1,000 square miles (2,589 sq km) using multiple aircraft, cutters and small boats over roughly 24 hours, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed a fishery observer was aboard the vessel.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called the loss "heartbreaking" in a statement and NOAA Fisheries said observer deployments would be suspended until after midnight Wednesday while the Coast Guard continues its investigation.