As confirmed by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, we continue our efforts to find and bring home Mr. Carl Aucoin, the missing crewmember. Additionally, we will attempt to recover L'Acadien II.
Two Canadian Coast Guard light icebreakers, the CCGS George R. Pearkes and the CCGS Edward Cornwallis, are actively searching for L'Acadien II, based on the last known coordinates of the vessel earlier this week. The search is taking into account drift patterns and ice conditions.
The heavy class CCGS Terry Fox has arrived in Sydney and will join the operation this afternoon. Today, a Canadian Forces Aurora long-range patrol aircraft, based out of 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia is conducting a patrol of the area, as are two Canadian Coast Guard helicopters, dispatched from Shearwater and Charlottetown. Additional air surveillance may be performed as required.
Crews are experiencing more favorable weather conditions today than they had yesterday.
As previously noted, Canadian Forces divers are on stand-by to assist as required. Transportation Safety Board officials are also accompanying the operation and are on-scene.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard continue to extend their thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of the crewmembers of L'Acadien II.
Please note that more details on this operation will be posted as they are available.
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