The family of a Labrador fisherman missing at sea calls Ottawa to investigate the ship’s safety
The family of a fisherman who died off the coast of Mary’s Harbor on the Labrador coast has forwarded their calls for action and an investigation into ship safety to Ottawa.
Jeanette and Dwight Russell held a series of meetings with a variety of ministers earlier this month. Her son Marc Russell and crewmate Joey Jenkins were reported missing on September 17, 2021 when their ship, the Island Lady, failed to return to report.
The search was marred by allegations by the families that governments lacked coordination and that the search was ended too soon. The RCMP called off the search after 10 days.
Now the pair have met with several lawmakers who are calling for a federal commission of inquiry into fishing vessel safety. The pair say an investigation would force everyone involved to sit around the same table and lead to recommendations for changes.
“I don’t think we’re going to get there without doing some research,” Jeanette said. “This is the hill I’m ready to die on.”
The family is demanding that 5 Wing Goose Bay Military Base be made a search and rescue center, rapid rescue stations established in Labrador, emergency beacons required on all vessels and fishing vessel standards reviewed.
“Mark was a fighter and he didn’t mind hitting people for their bullshit,” Jeanette said. “So that’s how I’m going to approach this problem. I’m not going to Ottawa to make friends, I’m going to Ottawa to illustrate that there is an urgent need for resources.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador government said in a press release that Cabinet Ministers Lisa Dempster and John Hogan attended the meetings along with MHA Perry Trimper, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor George Andrews and NunatuKavut President Todd Russell .
The meetings were held with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Minister for Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister for Transport Omar Alghabra, Minister for Crown Indigenous Relations Marc Miller, Minister for Rural Economic Development Gudie Hutchings, and Labrador MP Yvonne Jones. A press release from Mendicino’s office later clarified that the minister met with Hogan but did not receive an invitation to meet with the Russell family.
“We’re committed, as I said, to getting back to the table with a few short-term things that can address this… to make sure there’s no further tragedy,” Hutchings said Tuesday.
Hutchings said the ministers would meet to consider a plan and committed to keeping Jeanette and Dwight informed.
Jeanette said she was proud of the Newfoundland and Labrador government for funding the province’s Search and Rescue Association, which recently announced a new search and rescue team in Mary’s Harbour.
“From a provincial perspective, they really took that to heart. They have identified the gaps they need to fill and they are doing their part,” said Jeanette.
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
