A permanent bronze memorial will mark the survival story of seven fishermen who spent over two days adrift in the North Atlantic after abandoning their burning vessel last summer.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey announced Thursday that a bronze plaque honoring the “Lucky 7” crew of the Elite Navigator will be installed in their home port of New-Wes-Valley.
The fishing vessel was reported missing on July 18, 2024, approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Fogo Island after an engine room fire forced the crew to abandon ship for a life raft.
Eugene Carter, David Tiller, Toby Peddle, Harold Howell, Andy Hunt, Jordan Lee King and Robbie Firmage spent more than 48 hours in dense fog and rain before being rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Local artist to create memorial
The commemorative plaque, designed by artist Keisha Mercer, will be bronzed by sculptor Morgan MacDonald and permanently displayed in the coastal community upon completion.
“I will never forget that day, as we celebrated along with family, friends and hundreds of others in the New-Wes-Valley community, as the Lucky 7 entered their home port,” said Furey. “The bronze plaque will serve as a permanent and fitting reminder of the incredible strength and resilience of this crew.”
Glenn Mouland, owner of the Elite Navigator, expressed pride in the recognition of his crew’s ordeal.
“The public response to what my friends and crew-mates went through was overwhelming, and to think their survival is now going to be documented and remembered for many years to come through this monument leaves me with an incredible feeling of pride to be part of the group now known as the Lucky 7,” said Mouland.
New-Wes-Valley Mayor Mike Tiller welcomed the memorial as recognition of the daily risks faced by the fishing industry.
“It is a fitting reminder of the risks fishermen throughout this province take every day when they go out on the water to make a living for their families,” said Tiller. “If you watched a movie about what these men went through, you would never believe it possible that they’d survive, but the Lucky 7 showed us that miracles do happen.”
