Atlantic Destiny Rescue: International Response Saves 31 Crew Amid Violent Seas

In March 2021, the 143-foot offshore scallop trawler Atlantic Destiny found itself in a life-threatening situation about 130 nautical miles south of Nova Scotia. A fire broke out on board late in the day, and a Mayday call went out just after 7 p.m. The crew battled 30-knot winds, freezing spray and 15-foot seas. Even after the flames were brought under control, the vessel had lost power, drifted helplessly and began taking on water. All 31 people on board faced extremely dangerous conditions.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax immediately coordinated a multi-agency response. A Canadian CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopter and a CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft were dispatched from a nearby Canadian Forces base, and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Roger steamed toward the stricken trawler. Local fishing vessels were notified as well, but sea conditions were too severe for them to assist.

Pilots and crews faced daunting hazards as they attempted helicopter hoists near the powerless trawler. The Atlantic Destiny’s masts, rigging, cranes and loose cables swung unpredictably in the gale, creating a chaotic and dangerous environment for winch operations. Despite those obstacles, the Canadian Cormorant crew successfully hoisted six people from the deck and transported them to a care center in southwestern Nova Scotia. En route, however, that helicopter experienced a mechanical problem and was forced to withdraw from the scene, complicating an already critical rescue.

Shortly after the Mayday alert, the U.S. Coast Guard provided essential backup. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod launched two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, to reinforce the rescue effort. The arrival of U.S. helicopters proved decisive: crews from both nations worked through the night to lift 27 people off the trawler and bring them to safety.

Not everyone left the vessel by helicopter. Four crew members and two search-and-rescue technicians remained aboard the Atlantic Destiny to tend to the ship through the night while the Cape Roger continued steaming into the storm. The following morning, Cape Roger was able to take the remaining passengers aboard. At 10:36 a.m. on March 3, with no one aboard, the Atlantic Destiny sank.

The international cooperation between Canadian forces and the U.S. Coast Guard was emphatically credited for the successful outcome. “Without them we would not have been able to get every person off of that boat,” said Capt. Jeremy Appolloni, pilot of the Canadian Cormorant helicopter, in an interview with Saltwire. His remarks underline how critical cross-border coordination and shared resources can be in maritime search-and-rescue operations.

The bravery and professionalism displayed by all responders were later recognized at “New York Salutes the Coast Guard,” an event hosted by the Coast Guard Foundation to highlight the service of U.S. Coast Guard personnel in the Northeast. Speaking to guests at Chelsea Piers, Coast Guard Foundation President Susan Ludwig acknowledged the sacrifices these service members make. “The brave men and women of the Coast Guard are often called upon to act under challenging conditions,” she said, applauding their dedication and skill.

Editor Jeanne Craig also offered her gratitude to the crews involved, noting that their efforts make waters safer for both professional mariners and recreational boaters. The coordinated response to the Atlantic Destiny emergency serves as a clear example of how joint training, rapid communication and international support can save lives when maritime disasters strike.

This article was originally published in the December 2022 issue.

Jeanne Craig, Editor, [email protected]