Search continues in fishing tragedy

N.L. TOWN MOURNING THREE FROM THE SAME FAMILY ; ONE MAN STILL MISSING

Three men from the same Newfoundland family with history in the fishing trade died at sea this week in the apparent sinking of a vessel that was reported missing off the island’s south coast Monday evening.

Residents of St. Lawrence, the Norman family’s home community, were mourning the shocking loss Wednesday as they rallied to continue the search for young father Isaac Kettle, who had been aboard the boat with the trio.

The Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that one of its vessels searched Tuesday night in the area near the mouth of Placentia Bay where the fishing boat is believed to have sunk. It was joined Wednesday morning by two more vessels, as well as a Hercules aircraft and a Cormorant helicopter.

Eileen Norman of St. Lawrence, N.L., told The Canadian Press that the body of her brother-in-law Ed Norman, 67, had been found Tuesday. The bodies of his son Scott Norman, in his mid-30s, and nephew Jody Norman, 42, were also recovered.

Kettle, a close family friend of the two younger men who is in his early 30s, remains missing.

“They were a great bunch of men and boys,” John Norman, Ed’s brother, said by phone from St. Lawrence on Wednesday.

Norman remembered his brother as a “relentless worker” and lifelong fisherman who mentored younger relatives in the trade.

“He never stopped, he was always at something,” Norman said. “I’ll miss him being around (for) companionship. And anything I wanted done, all I had to do was call him.”

He praised Scott and Jody Norman as young men eager to help out with any fixes around the house. “They’d be right here in five minutes,” he said.

Lt.-Gov. Judy Foote shared a statement Tuesday night offering condolences to the families on behalf of the province.

“I share in the heartbreak with the people of St. Lawrence,” the statement read. “We join in the hope of Isaac Kettle’s family and friends for his safe return.”