SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- One person is dead and six others are missing after a commercial fishing vessel sank off the coast of the U.S. state of Massachusetts on Friday.
The U.S. Coast Guard said that watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert at about 6:50 a.m. local time (1150 GMT) from the 72-foot fishing vessel Lily Jean. Authorities later confirmed that seven people had been on board.
Unable to establish contact with the vessel, the Coast Guard launched a search operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a small boat crew to the area.
Rescue teams located a debris field near the signal site, about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann. One person was recovered unresponsive from the water, and an empty life raft associated with the vessel was also found. The identity of the deceased has not been released. Search efforts remain ongoing. ■