NORTH CAPE, P.E.I. - When a drenched and exhausted 22-year-old Tanner Gaudet, who survived a capsized fishing boat Tuesday afternoon, arrived at the Wind ‘n Reef Restaurant after his ordeal, the first thing he wanted to do was call home.
Restaurant hostess Cathy Gallien said Gaudet entered the restaurant soaked and in shock around 5:20 p.m.
“He was in severe, severe shock. The first thing he said, ‘I need a drink of water to call my Dad.”
Gaudet’s appearance at the restaurant — and the subsequent phone calls Gallien made to Gaudet’s father and 911 — was the first anybody knew that the Kyla Anne fishing vessel had sunk near the North Cape reef earlier in the day.
Still missing are Glen DesRoches, the 57-year-old captain of the vessel, and his longtime helper Maurice (Moe) Getson, 54.
Gallien said staff of the restaurant helped the young fisherman out of his drenched clothes and wrapped him in tablecloths, which they had warmed up in a dryer.
“He said ‘the boat went down,’” Gallien said.
The restaurant subsequently closed for the evening so that it could be used as a staging area for first responders and family of the missing fishermen.
After being examined by paramedics, the young fisherman remained at the restaurant until after midnight. He was back in Wednesday morning, Gallien noted.
“He’s worked up and sore; he doesn’t want to leave here,” Jody Gaudet said of his son Wednesday afternoon, where he was keeping vigil with the young man.
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Jody Gaudet said he understands the boat had just crossed over the reef at North Cape en route to Tignish when the vessel filled with water. His son used a fish tank cover to help him remain afloat.
He estimates the young man must have drifted two-and-a-quarter to two-and-a-half kilometers before making it to shore, and noted his son obviously has a strong heart to have survived the ordeal and to make it safely to shore.
Gaudet believes DesRoches and Getson had fished together for at least 10 years. His son has been on the crew for four years.
Commenting on the numerous boats that were on the water Tuesday night and again on Wednesday, Gaudet said that’s what fishermen do.
“When there’s trouble, they come together and they go looking.”
Members of P.E.I. Ground Search and Rescue arrived throughout the day Wednesday to join in the search efforts.
Moe Getson’s brother, Gordie, said family members have been in touch with Joint Search and Rescue and have been assured they will be kept updated of the search efforts. He said he learned a specialized aircraft was being dispatched to the scene to join in the search.
He commended all the searchers for their efforts.
“They’re doing a fantastic job, above and beyond what anybody could ask.”
