Despite an increased search task force, search teams had no further sightings overnight for the five fishermen from Shelburne County.
Lt. Peter Ryan spokesperson for the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax said that the search would continue today, Feb. 29.
“So far they have searched 7,000 square miles,” he said.
Seas remained rough with six-metre swells throughout the night and strong winds that forced a cormorant helicopter to return to base.
“It can be fierce,” said Ryan.
He said that it would return to the search at first light.
A King Air aircraft was contracted out with continued search efforts by the two Canadian Coast Guard ships --- Sir William Alexander and Earl Grey, as well as a C130 Hercules.
The fishing vessel, Miss Ally’s emergency locator beacon was activated at 11:06 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 17 after setting out from their home port of Wood’s Harbour. The five men aboard the Miss Ally were Joel Hopkins, Steven Cole Nickerson, Katlin Nickerson, Billy Hatfield and Tyson Townsend. — Shelburne County Coast Guard
