2021-03-10

Riverport fishing vessel catches fire, crew rescued off Georges Bank

by KEITH CORCORAN

  • <p>SOURCE: FRANK BAILEY, MARINE TRAFFIC.COM</p><p>Crew members of fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny, pictured in this undated image, are safe following a fire on board the boat March 2.</p>

All 31 crew members of Riverport-based Atlantic Destiny are safe, unhurt, and back on land after being airlifted from the fishing vessel where flames broke out onboard March 2 in rough seas off the coast of Yarmouth County.

The 39-metre steel-hulled boat owned by Ocean Choice International of Newfoundland and Labrador was in the Georges Bank area when the master of the vessel transmitted a mayday distress call over a marine radio frequency at about 8 p.m. reporting a fire.

"That fire was extinguished but re-ignited," Halifax's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), which responds to air and marine incidents within the region, said on social media during the initial stages. "Additionally, they are reporting taking on water."

The vessel lost power and was adrift in eight-metre seas with winds blowing 55 knots, or the equivalent of over 100 km/h, said the JRCC.

A massive rescue effort mobilized with locally-owned fishing vessels in the vicinity and several military assets.

A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-130 Hercules aircraft were sent to the scene from 14 Wing Greenwood. The Canadian Coast Guard patrol vessel Cape Roger was also dispatched. A chopper from the U.S. Coast Guard was also notified, the JRCC said on social media.

Also coming to the aid of the crew were the Maude Adams, owned by Adams and Knickle in Lunenburg, and the Cape LaHave, owned by LaHave Seafoods in Lunenburg County.

"We were six miles from them when it happened and we went right to her. We were the closest ones," David Himmelman of LaHave Seafoods, told LighthouseNOW via phone March 3 from the company's LaHave area office.

The Cape LaHave laid alongside the Atlantic Destiny, Himmelman said."We were able to help them communicate, and transfer [radio] messages back and forth to shore," he said.

All but four essential crew members initially were evacuated and flown to Yarmouth, "where they received medical attention, food and accommodations," Ocean Choice International said in statement released to the media March 3.

The fire onboard was eventually extinguished, and generator power restored. Pumps were used to try and control the amount of water coming into the vessel, the JRCC said. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.

"At one point in time people were thinking everybody was on our boat, and nobody was on our boat," Himmelman added. "You can't transfer from those boats in that weather. [Rescuers] did well to get them off with a helicopter. That was quite an experience, I'm sure, in those seas, and that much wind, that to even airlift all those people off there safely was great."

By 8 a.m. on March 3, the remaining crew were transferred off the vessel onto the Cape Roger and taken to Shelburne. The Cape Roger remained on scene to monitor the Atlantic Destiny, which eventually sank.

"It was quite a night, but [the Cape LaHave has] gone back to their fishing grounds to fish this morning," Himmelman said.

LighthouseNOW reached out to some family and friends of impacted Atlantic Destiny crew.

Carrie Forward said her husband Garfield was on board. A phone message left with him was not returned but Carrie told LighthouseNOW via social media "it was a stressful night." She posted a message online of happiness her spouse and the crew were safe on land.

Courtney Walker went to social media saying a "good friend" was on the boat. She declined an interview with LighthouseNOW.

"Our hearts are with our crew and their families at this extremely stressful time," Martin Sullivan, Ocean Choice International's chief executive, said in a statement. The company added, "the collective efforts of our crew and all those who came to assist the crew and the vessel resulted in the best possible outcome for this situation."

The Atlantic Destiny was one of the company's six offshore fishing vessels.

The company made arrangements to provide the crew and their families with free access to support and counselling services.

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