HALIFAX — Two fishermen who were pulled from the North Atlantic after a vessel capsized off Halifax have died, while two other crew members rescued have been released from hospital.
The deaths were confirmed Friday by Jose Teixeira, owner of the 18-metre Fortune Pride, which capsized Thursday night.
“We’ve lost two good men to an unfortunate accident,” Teixeira said, adding that one of the two dead was the captain and the other was a deckhand. He declined to provide their names.
Teixeira said the vessel had been fishing for silver hake before the capsizing, adding that he did not yet know why the boat had turned over. "They were on their way in from the fishing grounds," he said.
"Three of the men had their (survival) suits on," he added.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre has said that rescuers found three crew members Thursday night, one of whom was unconscious. The fourth was located in a life-raft Friday and was “unresponsive.”
Rescue efforts were launched after a signal from an emergency beacon was picked up around 10 p.m. Thursday originating about 18 kilometres southeast of Sambro, N.S. Two coast guard cutters responded to the emergency.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says it will dispatch a team to investigate the capsizing of the Fortune Pride.
In an emailed statement, Teixeira extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the fishermen who lost their lives. "This devastating loss has profoundly affected our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted during this incredibly difficult time," he said.
"The brave individuals we lost were not just skilled fishermen; they were fathers, sons, brothers, and friends whose lives touched many. Their dedication to their work and their families will always be remembered."
He added that his company, Supreme Sea Harvests Inc, based in Lunenburg, N.S., is committed to providing any necessary resources and support to assist during this challenging time.
"In memory of the lost fishermen, we will honour their lives within our community at a time to be determined soon."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2025.
Keith Doucette and Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press
