Lawyer in Check-Mate III sinking calls for search and rescue upgrade
A lawyer representing the families of two men who died when a ship sank off Newfoundland in 2008 is asking the federal government to rethink search and rescue coverage policies.
Tom Williams, a St. John's attorney representing the families of Larry Parsons and Wade Oram, said recent incidents highlight the need for more comprehensive service in the province.
By coincidence, the Parsons and Oram families met with military officials just a day before the March 12 crash of a Cougar Helicopters aircraft, which hit the Atlantic Ocean mere minutes after reporting mechanical problems.
In that instance, military Cormorant helicopters based in Newfoundland were doing training exercises in Cape Breton.
With the January 2008 sinking of the 15-metre Check-Mate III in Trinity Bay, a Cormorant helicopter that was training at night in the Gander area had to refuel and get a fresh crew.
Williams said there are similar issues in both cases.
"This lends more weight in the discussions that have recently arisen as a result of the most recent tragedy," Williams told CBC News.
"We can point to two or three marine tragedies whereby 24/7 coverage would possibly have made a difference."
Williams is the brother of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, who has advocated for a greater search and rescue presence, but who — in the aftermath of the Cougar crash — said he felt that an earlier response would not have affected the outcome.
The crash killed 17 of the 18 people aboard the helicopter, which was carrying workers to two offshore oil platforms southeast of St. John's. All but one of the bodies were recovered from inside the wreckage, which was located on the ocean floor under 178 metres of water.
Earlier this month, St. John's Coun. Tom Hann said he wanted the city to lobby for its own dedicated search and rescue unit, which was recommended in a royal commission report on the 1982 sinking of the Ocean Ranger drilling rig. Council deferred the debate until after a grieving period had passed.
Tom Williams said he hopes federal officials revisit the notion that 24-coverage in St. John's is too expensive.
"Maybe we should be looking at the present system to make changes so that that kind of coverage can be put in place when these tragedies or these incidents occur, that we can have the most immediate and effective response," Williams said.
Meanwhile, Williams said the Parsons and Oram families are recommending a change in how search and rescue crews respond to crises at sea.
A military investigation found that the Cormorant crew sent to the scene of the Check-Mate III sinking mistakenly thought the men were waving, when in fact their arms were being moved by waves.
Williams said the families are suggesting a new procedure. "If they deployed a diver to check the status of an individual, so that there may not be any mistaken actions or reactions by crew not knowing the conditions of the individuals," he said.