HALIFAX - An extensive search was being conducted Sunday in waters and along the shore for a local fisherman who fell overboard in an area just off the mouth of Halifax harbour.
The Halifax search and rescue centre said it was informed by the coast guard around 2:30 a.m. of a report of a crewman falling overboard from the herring fishing vessel Lady Tiana out of Eastern Passage, N.S.
Officials said the missing 39-year-old man is a resident of Oyster Pond, N.S.
Capt. Marco Plasse said a total of 13 vessels were involved in the search along with one Cormorant helicopter in a small area of water just south of Devil's Island.
"It's a fairly small search area since we know exactly where the person fell overboard," said Plasse. "We are extensively searching . . . and unfortunately we haven't found anything yet."
Shortly after 10 a.m. RCMP said that a ground search and rescue team had also been called in to assist.
Cpl. Joe Taplin said the ground search was being conducted along the coastline in the Hartland point area.
He said there had been some traces of the man brought ashore by fisherman involved in the search.
"There is some pieces of clothing that have been located, but right now we're not at liberty to say which," said Taplin.
Military spokesman, Maj. Paul Doucette said the missing man wasn't wearing survival gear when he fell into the chilly water.
"Even at the best of times in this part of the country to be immersed in cold water for a long period of time would certainly hamper the chances of survival," said Doucette.
Doucette said the majority of the boats involved in the search were small fishing vessels who were assisting the coast guard cutter Sambro.
