India, Aug. 7 -- The US Navy has formally rejected a request from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey seeking federal naval assistance and diving expertise to aid in the ongoing investigation into the tragic sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean.

The 72-foot vessel went down under mysterious circumstances roughly 25 miles east of Gloucester in late January, resulting in the loss of all seven individuals on board, including Captain Accursio "Gus" Sanfilippo, five crew members, and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries observer.

While state leaders urged federal intervention to retrieve crucial onboard video equipment and assess the feasibility of recovering lost remains, naval authorities stated they we...