The search for the remaining missing fishers aboard the FV Villa de Pitanxo has been suspended, according to Search and Rescue officials.
The effort included numerous Search and Rescue aircraft and vessels, covering some 900 square nautical miles over a period of more than 36 hours.
At this time, the case will be turned over to law enforcement, being treated as a missing persons at sea case.
Of the 24 crew members on board, three survivors have been rescued and 10 bodies have been recovered.
Regrettably, at 4 pm AST, based on the results of the exhaustive search by a significant number of SAR aircraft and vessels over the last 36+ hours, a search covering over 900 sq NM, the search for the 12 missing fishers aboard the FV Villa de Pitanxo has been suspended.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) February 16, 2022
Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the families, friends, and community of these individuals. The case will now be turned over to law enforcement as a missing persons at sea case.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) February 16, 2022
