Missing fisherman found during search

A fisherman who had gone missing from the life raft of a disabled fishing vessel off Nova Scotia was found Sunday during a search.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) reported shortly after 2 p.m. on March 13, that a SAR crew aboard a CH149 Cormorant had found the missing fisher during the search. The crew member was transported to medical authorities in Sydney after being found, said the rescue coordination centre.

“The condition of the fisher is not being disclosed at this time,” the JRCC said. It was later confirmed by family that the fisherman had died. He was Jeremy Hart, 35, of Windsor Junction.

The fisher had been part of the crew of the fishing vessel (FV) Mucktown Girl.

The vessel is registered to Border Seafoods Ltd of Lower East Pubnico in Yarmouth County.

On Saturday, March 12, there had been a request for a tow after the vessel experienced mechanical issues 90 nautical miles southeast of Canso.

The fishing vessel was taken under tow by the Coast Guard vessel Jean Goodwill, in the direction of Mulgrave.

“At 5:43 p.m., March 12, there was a failure in the tow arrangement and the FV went adrift overnight with the CCGS Jean Goodwill in escort,” tweeted the JRCC. “At 6:11 a.m. (March 13), the FV Mucktown Girl reported taking on water, the crew abandoned the FV into a life raft.”

The JRCC said Sunday that four fishers were recovered by CCGS Jean Goodwill. “Unfortunately one fisher fell out of the life raft during this transfer and is now missing,” the JRCC tweeted late Sunday morning. “All five fishers were wearing Immersion suits when they abandoned the FV.” Many hours passed before the fisherman was found.

The Canadian Coast Guard ships Jean Goodwill and Spindrift, a CH149 Cormorant helicopter and a C130 Hercules Aircraft from 14 Wind Greenwood had all assisted in the search.