A scallop dragger belonging to St.John’s-based Ocean Choice International has sunk off Nova Scotia but all personnel had been safely removed and are on dry land.
OCI says 28 crew members of FV Atlantic Destiny were taken to Yarmouth by helicopter during the night, where they received medical attention, food and accommodations. The remaining handful of crewmembers were taken off at about 8:00 this morning and transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Roger.
Imagery of the transfer of the final four crew from the FV Atlantic Destiny and the two SAR Techs to the CCGS Cape Roger this morning. At 1036 AST, the FV sunk.
The Cape Roger is now heading towards Shelburne, NS. pic.twitter.com/dAMrSPnwmK— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) March 3, 2021
A spokesperson for the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax said the centre received a call from the ship at around 8 p.m. reporting there was a fire on board, it had lost power and it was taking on water as it drifted in eight-metre waves and 100 km/h winds.
The Destiny was one of six offshore fishing vessels belonging to OCI.
Earlier Story
A fishing vessel owned by Ocean Choice International of St. John’s is currently without power, adrift and taking on water about 120 nautical miles south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in heavy seas.
Fire broke out on board the Atlantic Destiny, a scallop dragger out of Riverport, Nova Scotia, at about 8:30 last night.
The fire was extinguished but re-ignited. Additionally, the vessel was reportedly taking on water. The 32 crew are safe and accounted for. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax dispatched a Cormorant to hoist people off. Only a few hands remain on board.
Two fishing vessels are in the area to provide support if need be and the Canadian Coast Guard ship the Cape Roger is en route.
Ocean Choice says it’s focused on getting all crewmembers back to shore to their families, all of whom have been notified.
The Atlantic Destiny is one of Ocean Choice’s six offshore fishing vessels. The vessel harvests frozen-at-sea scallops.
JRCC Hfx is responding to an ongoing emergency onboard the FV Atlantic Destiny, with a crew of 31. A CH-149 Cormorant and CC130 Hercules from 14 Wing Greenwood, the CCGS Cape Roger has been tasked. The FV Lahave is in vicinity of the Atlantic Destiny and standing by to assist.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) March 3, 2021
The vessel encountered catastrophic engine failure in March of 2017 in which the Transportation Safety Board Investigated.
