The Canadian Coast Guard has dismissed a veteran captain after investigators concluded he deliberately ignored a distress call from a fishing vessel in trouble near Prince Edward Island.
The incident occurred on May 13, 2024, when a fishing vessel carrying five people ran aground in Malpeque Harbour. According to an investigation, the captain of the patrol boat, which was on patrol, turned down the radio volume after the distress call was received and continued on the planned course for about 17 minutes before seeking instructions from the marine communications centre.
The patrol boat eventually diverted toward the scene, but by the time it arrived, the five people aboard the stranded vessel had already been rescued by the local fire department. No injuries were reported.
The captain, who had served in the Coast Guard for 18 years, argued that vessels must wait for formal tasking before responding to incidents and claimed he believed his vessel was much farther from the distress position than it actually was. He also cited possible radio issues and safety concerns about navigating the shallow channel.
However, Canada’s Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board ruled that the captain had “willfully disregarded a distress call,” concluding that the Coast Guard had justified grounds for dismissal. The board rejected his appeal, making the termination final.
