The Elite Navigator (Transportation Safety Board)
It was one year ago that one of the most miraculous rescues at sea in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador unfolded after seven men spent about 50 hours stranded in a life raft after their fishing boat burned and sank.
Dubbed “The Lucky Seven,” the fishermen were enveloped by dense fog, too thick to be penetrated by the eyes and equipment of searchers flying overhead.
Fate played its huge hand one final time when the fog lifted long enough for the crew to be spotted.
They arrived home to New-Wes-Valley to a heroes’ welcome.
An escort of local boats speed to shore behind a fast rescue craft carrying the ‘Lucky 7’ crew of the Elite Navigator in Valleyfield, Bonavista Bay this afternoon. (Courtesy Maritime NL)
Gary Collins, who has written many books, picked up on this situation by interviewing not only the crew, but the moms and girlfriends in their lives.
“They weren’t just a few miles offshore – they were 125 nautical miles out which means you might as well have been 500 miles offshore,” says Collins.
The book has been published by Flanker Press.