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Nova Scotia group secures grief counselling as search for 5 missing fishers continues

Click to play video: 'Stephen McNeil fights back tears as he comments on crew of missing scallop boat'
Stephen McNeil fights back tears as he comments on crew of missing scallop boat
WATCH: Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil fought back tears as he reflected on the incredibly difficult year his province has faced - the latest blow coming in the form of news that six families in the province are having to cope with fears of yet another loss following the sinking of a scallop dragger Tuesday – Dec 17, 2020

After an already difficult year for Nova Scotians, fishing communities in the south shore are fearing the loss of six fishers that went missing on Tuesday.

The Fisheries Safety Association of Nova Scotia tells Global News it has secured funding through the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia to cover costs of grief counselling services for those involved in the tragedy.

These services will be open to members and families of the Full Bay Scallop Association, as well as employees, families and friends of Yarmouth Sea Products, the company that employed the missing fishers and owned scallop dragger Chief William Saulis that sunk with the crew on board.

“That’s something that weighs heavily on the industry as a whole… I can only imagine how the family and friends are feeling,” said safety adviser Matthew Duffy.

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“We have members of our association that have used grief counselling in the past and it’s made a very big difference for a lot of folks during those difficult times.”

On Wednesday, Yarmouth Sea Products confirmed the names of the missing crew: Aaron Cogswell, Leonard Gabriel, Dan Forbes, Michael Drake and Geno Francis, and captain Charles Roberts.

The body of one man was recovered late Tuesday, but the search continued Wednesday for five other men as ground search crews said they were seeking closure for the families. A neighbour of the man confirmed to Global News it was Michael Drake.

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The search was passed on to RCMP on Wednesday afternoon as a recovery mission. Thursday morning, RCMP announced the search has been temporarily suspended due to the incoming snowstorm.

Click to play video: 'Nova Scotia search for missing scallop fishers suspended after two days'
Nova Scotia search for missing scallop fishers suspended after two days

The Mayor of Yarmouth Pam Mood says the suspension hit hard as families of those missing are seeking closure.

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“You cannot even put into words. The grieving process is the most important and I don’t even know if we’re there yet,” she said.

“Fishing is a way of life here, it’s not just a job.”

Mood said she knew the missing fishers; many people did because the community is so small. Now, that community is in a state of numbness.

“We just wish and hope we could take some of that pain away from the families. It’s not how that works but that’s the way we are.”

While it happened for the right reasons, Thursday’s suspension slowed down that grieving process, Mood said.

As a part of the new initiative to provide grief counselling, Mood said the Town of Yarmouth has set up one-on-one sessions with a local grief recovery specialist to get things going right away.

She said the town will work with the association, Workers Compensation Board and the Mental Health Foundation going forward, “to ensure everyone has access to the help they need.”

Duffy said he hopes anyone in a mental health crisis following this tragedy will seek help.

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“It’s a long-term far-reaching effect that something like this has… Ultimately, it’s important to lean on folks around you,” said Duffy.

“I think the industry will always be there for each other and that’s a really positive thing to see.”

He said the counselling collaboration will be open to those who need it, but will not be mandatory.

“We will be working tirelessly to help facilitate these services in the coming days,” he stated.

Click to play video: 'Stephen McNeil fights back tears as he comments on crew of missing scallop boat'
Stephen McNeil fights back tears as he comments on crew of missing scallop boat

 

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