Search for missing fishermen launched Tuesday

(Posted 7:30 p.m.) Members of the RCMP Halifax District are assisting the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in the search for two missing fishermen who went missing south of Shannon Island, Lower Prospect, N.S Tuesday morning.

Gerald Blackburn, 62, and his son Gerry Blackburn, 30, headed out in their 25-foot lobster boat this morning at 6:45 a.m.

At 10 a.m. the Canadian Coast Guard was advised the lobster boat was over due and had not returned. At 10:47 a.m. the Joint Rescue Coordination Center activated an air and sea search and at 10:50 a.m. located debris from the boat. RCMP has activated the Halifax Ground Search and Rescue to assist in searching along the coastline.

An extensive search is continuing along the coast. Weather has hampered the search.