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On the Baie Verte Peninsula, a close-knit region is mourning the sudden death at sea of two men — fish harvesters who were on the job.
“Just thinking about the families and the friends … it’s a very sad day for everyone,” Brent’s Cove Mayor Colleen Haas told CBC Radio’s On the Go on Tuesday.
The Canadian Coast Guard confirmed it received a report of a sunken vessel near Brent’s Cove at about 2:15 p.m. NT on Tuesday, with three people reported missing.
The coast guard tasked the lifeboat vessel CCGS Conception Bay, as well as a fixed-wing aircraft and a Cormorant helicopter. It also issued a mayday broadcast for vessels of opportunity — any boats in the area available to help.
“A vessel of opportunity recovered two people from the water, one survivor and one deceased. The Cormorant helicopter recovered one deceased person from the shoreline,” reads a statement from the coast guard.
The RCMP was involved as well, posting to social media and asking for people to stay clear of an ongoing “marine operation” in Harbour Round, near Brent’s Cove. The RCMP said the operation concluded as of 6:45 p.m NT.
Shortly before 9 p.m., Baie Verte-Green Bay MHA Lin Paddock offered his condolences to the families.
“It opens fresh wounds for those of us that have experienced loss at sea, and it is also a sad reminder that our fishing industry is a dangerous profession. Thinking of all the families now as they deal with the repercussions of a regular fishing day, where one of their own did not come home,” he posted to social media.
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