Elite Navigator crew happy to be back on shore — and plan to get back to sea as soon as they can
CBC
Toby Peddle, one of seven fishermen who spent more than two days drifting in a life-raft on the Atlantic Ocean, still can't believe his good fortune.
Even after being welcomed home Saturday to a cheering crowd in New-Wes-Valley, on Newfoundland's northeast coast, it still didn't feel real.
"It's overwhelming. Like it hasn't really set in yet. Like how lucky we were, right? It's overwhelming," Peddle told CBC News on Sunday during an interview with four of the crew.
Peddle's vessel, the Elite Navigator, had been missing since Wednesday evening, its last known location about 300 kilometres northeast of Gander, prompting Canadian Coast Guard vessels and helicopters as well as other fishing boats to scour the area, stymied initially by fog, until the moment rescuers spotted a flare — the last one the men had.
Eugene Carter, captain of the Elite Navigator, said it was incredible to be brought into Valleyfield — the "Valley" in "New-Wes-Valley" — with people in boats alongside them.
"It was just crazy. It's unreal. Words can't describe," Carter said.
Despite the ordeal, they aren't deterred from going back to the water.
Peddle said he hoped to get back fishing that evening, whereas Jordan King said he'd give himself a week.
"Plan to go back when I can," he said.
Carter said it would be a couple of days before he was ready to go again.
"Then I'm good to go again. I don't want the fish to get away, right?" he said.
David Tiller said he's looking forward to getting out on the water again — because groceries are expensive.
"So we gotta get out and get some fish," said Tiller.
Carter says they were making supper Wednesday when an alarm went off and a fire was discovered in the engine room.