Sealing Vessels Remain Stuck on Ice Off N.L. Amid Fears Over Supplies, Damage

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. (CP) – As many as 100 sealing vessels remain stuck in pack ice off Newfoundland’s northeast coast and southern Labrador, amid concerns of shrinking food and fuel supplies.

Brian Penney, a superintendent with the coast guard in Newfoundland and Labrador, says crew have been evacuated from at least 10 vessels, with non-essential crew already back on land.

Local fishermen have said the pack ice, which is being pressed together by strong northeast winds, is the worst they’ve seen for two decades.

Penney says helicopters have been flying food and water to some vessels, and will continue doing so until the sealers are able to leave the area.

He says upwards of a dozen ships are “extensively damaged” and some could start taking on water once the ice pressure subsides and they slip back into the water.

Penney says conditions aren’t likely to improve in the next few days, and some of the longliners could be stuck on the ice for another week.