Questions surrounding SAR response to sinking of Atlantic Charger left unanswered
The Newfoundland fishing vessel Atlantic Charger sank off northern Labrador on Sept. 22th. All 9 crewmen were rescued by a factory-freezer trawler after spending almost 11 hours in immersion suits and a life raft, but questions were raised about the response of the military's Gander-based, search and rescue helicopters. The following questions were posed on Sept. 24th to the Canadian Coast Guard, which redirected them to the Canadian Forces. A response was finally received today, Oct. 13. Questions from MP Cleary's office: 1. Was a search and rescue Cormorant dispatched from Gander to respond to the distress call from the Atlantic Charger? 2. If so, what was the wheels-up time? What time did the SAR helicopter arrive on scene? 3. According to the owner of the Atlantic Charger, his crewmen were told that it would take more than 5 hours to dispatch a Gander-based Cormorant. The owner himself says he was told by SAR officials in Halifax that it would be 10 hours befo