A fishing vessel with four crew members capsized and sank off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, on Thursday (Feb. 6) night, resulting in the deaths of two of its crew members.

According to the Facebook forum Nova Scotia Buzz, Fortune Pride, an 18-meter (60-foot) fishing vessel built in 1988, was returning to port with a catch of silver hake when it encountered trouble near Sambro, a coastal community southwest of Halifax, the province's capital.

On Friday, the Facebook forum, with over 100,000 followers, shared updates on the incident, citing authorities and those familiar with the situation. Per the reports, an incident triggered an emergency response after Fortune Pride's distress beacon late Thursday. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, sent Canadian Coast Guard boats and Royal Canadian Air Force planes to the last place the fishing vessel was seen. The search and rescue teams reportedly faced tough weather, with big waves and strong winds, to get to the location.

The vessel's owner, Jose Teixeira, told City News-Halifax that he had communicated with the crew at approximately 8:30 pm on Feb. 6, and at that time, there was no indication of distress. Shortly after, at around 10 pm, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received an emergency beacon signal from the vessel, indicating it was in trouble approximately 18 km southeast of Sambro.

JRCC spokesperson Lt-Cmdr Len Hickey told the publication that rescuers found three crew members Thursday night—two conscious and one unconscious. The fourth crew member was located in a life raft Friday morning and was unresponsive when rescued.

On Sunday, local publication Coast Reporter said that the two who died were identified as the captain, John Allen Baker, and deckhand Phil MacInnis.

Possible causes under investigation

Authorities, including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, are investigating the circumstances that led to the capsizing.

Initial reports suggest that adverse weather conditions may have played a role, while the vessel's heavy haul of fish — estimated between 18,000 and 23,000 kilograms — could have affected its stability, reported the Canadian Press and Coast Reporter.

Fortune Pride, registered in Canada, was built by Glovertown Shipyard in Newfoundland and Labrador. It had a gross tonnage of 102 and was one of three vessels owned by Teixeira.

The vessel was previously mentioned in a July 2024 Undercurrent News report regarding the bankruptcy and asset sale of Chester Basin Seafoods Group (CBSG), a Bridgewater, Nova Scotia-based seafood company. Fortune Pride was one of three vessels included in CBSG's assets acquired by 4519497 Nova Scotia Ltd (451), a company owned by Teixeira, as part of a court-approved purchase. The vessel was also referenced in a legal dispute among CBSG shareholders, with allegations of negligence in its maintenance and operation.

On Friday premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston, expressed condolences to the victims' families and support for the survivors.

"Today, Nova Scotians have another unfortunate reminder of the dangers of working on the sea as the fishing vessel Fortune Pride capsized in the waters near Sambro last night," Houston said.

"I want to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the souls we lost -- you are in my thoughts and prayers, as are the two fishers who survived this heartbreaking tragedy."