F/V Saputi crew arrives in Iqaluit after Arctic fishing vessel damaged
Crew members flown into Nunavut via 2 charters from Greenland
People have gathered at the Iqaluit airport to welcome crew members from the F/V Saputi, after a harrowing ordeal at sea that ended with the damaged vessel in port in Greenland.
The F/V Saputi was fishing for turbot in the Davis Strait when it ran into ice Sunday night and began taking on water.
"We're still shaking," said Duane Taylor, who was on board the Saputi, as he arrived on the first flight Friday morning.
Other crew members, including Todd Rumbolt and Darren Hawkes, were at a loss for words.
The crew — 30 people in all, including seven from Nunavut — had planned to get home earlier.
"We had some challenges finding a suitable charter due to availability, and weather in Nuuk caused three days of delays," said Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
The first flight arrived around 9:30 ET, carrying crew members who don't live in Nunavut.
Local crew members arrived on a charter around 3:30 p.m.
Members of the public were invited to come and greet the fishermen at the airport.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax dispatched a C130 Hercules aircraft from 413 squadron in Greenwood, N.S., as well as the CCGS Louis St. Laurent icebreaker when the Saputi began taking on water Sunday night.
- Labrador crew maintain their smiles despite heavily damaged Arctic vessel
- Video released of Davis Strait fishing vessel rescue
- F/V Saputi en route to Greenland after taking on water
The crew of the Hercules dropped four extra pumps and aircraft continued to monitor the ailing vessel while a Danish navy ship escorted the ship to Nuuk, arriving Tuesday night.