An outspoken advocate for improved search and rescue capabilities on the coast of Labrador vows that she’ll continue to be a problem for the Canadian Coast Guard until adequate search and rescue resources are in place.
Jeannette Russell lost her son Marc when the Island Lady went down off the southeast coast of Labrador in September of 2022. The sinking also claimed the life of Joey Jenkins.
Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of the tragedy.
Marc Russell and Joey Jenkins on the Island Lady (Submitted)
Since that time, Russell has been pushing federal officials to station resources along the lengthy coast of Labrador.
The Coast Guard currently has a lifeboat station in St. Anthony on the tip of the Northern Peninsula, but Russell says it’s become the source of ridicule for local residents.
“If the lifeboat station in St. Anthony is meant to be patrolling off the coast of Labrador, why is there a joke in Labrador that the only time we see the Canadian Coast Guard is when the salmon are running and the berries are ripe? So if it’s so easy, why aren’t they more present?”
