The Transportation Safety Board has concluded its investigation into the sinking of a fishing boat off the coast of Tabusintac 18 months ago….and has confirmed treacherous conditions were a large factor in the tragic incident.
Thirty-five-year-old Ian Benoit was returning from rough seas, and was heading into McEachern’s Point Harbour, on May 18th last year, when the boat went down.
Benoit, and two helpers, Alfred Rouselle and Samuel Boutin died in the incident.
The report also stated that the boat, was equipped with three life-jackets and six personal flotation devices, but no one on board was wearing one at the time of the accident.
The fishermen in Tabusintac and the surrounding area have been expressing concern about the state of the gully for years.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea says the government will be reviewing its findings carefully, and that it’s important that government and private industry learn from the incident and engage in further dialogue in order to improve safety on the water moving forward.
