Fisherman sent to hospital after fishing vessel sinks south of Yarmouth, N.S.

A fisherman was airlifted to the Yarmouth hospital Tuesday morning, after the 45-foot fish dragger Fundy Legend that he and two other fishermen were on sank early this morning about 45 miles south of Yarmouth. “A fishing vessel was taking on water about 45 miles south of Yarmouth. Unfortunately it sank,” said Jeri Grychowski, public affairs officer with Joint Task Force Atlantic. “There were three people on board. A cormorant helicopter and a Hercules from 14 Wing Greenwood were dispatched. One of the crew members was hoisted up on the cormorant and taken to the Yarmouth hospital,” she adds.

The Coast Guard cutter SPRAY was also dispatched to the scene.

The crew was plucked from the water by the vessel Midnight Mariner, which fishes out of Pinkney's Point.

The Fundy Legend's captain, Scott Phillips, was the one airlifted to hospital. During the ordeal he was covered in diesel fuel and swallowed some oil that was mixed in the ocean water.

Fraser Mooney, a spokesperson for South West Health, said as of early afternoon the fishermen's condition was listed as good. “Good is described as vital signs are stable and within normal limits, patient is conscious and comfortable and his prognosis is good or excellent," said Mooney. "So when someone is in good condition is it usually not too long since they are discharged, so there was a really good outcome to that incident.”

The crew was in the water about 15 minutes before being rescued. At the time they were not in a life raft, but they did have survival suits on.

Sou'Wester editor Tina Comeau spoke with members of the crew when they arrived at the wharf in Pinkney's Point, N.S. Tuesday afternoon aboard the Midnight Mariner.

A story about their ordeal will be posted on NovaNewsNow.com.