In a small town in Newfoundland and Labrador, says New-Wes-Valley Mayor Michael Tiller, losing anyone is like losing family. (Mike Moore/CBC)
Tiller said the entire region had been holding its breath waiting for news, good or bad.
“Being human, you always have that fear in the back of your mind that the worst will happen. But when word started to spread last night,” he said. “It was like a huge weighted blanket lifted after region and people were celebrating it.”
A significant fog bank about 15 nautical miles (about 28 kilometres) off the coast complicated search efforts Thursday.
Search efforts expanded Friday. Four coast guard vessels, as well as a Cormorant helicopter and Hercules aircraft, helped in the search. PAL Airlines also used sensors in fly-overs to try to locate the boat, and a number of fishing vessels also joined in.
Dangers of fishing highlighted
Tiller said the entire incident highlights how dangerous the profession of fishing can be.
“It hits home because in small-town Newfoundland, you know everybody. You know who they are and you know their parents, their relatives, you know the boat owners. You know basically everything about them,” he said.
“You grew up with them and, you know, it’s like losing a part of your family.… It’s nothing short of a miracle that they’re all on the way home.”