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4 Tignish, P.E.I., fishermen rescued off coast as boat sinks

Four fishermen from Tignish, P.E.I., were rescued in the waters off P.E.I. and New Brunswick Sunday morning after their vessel took on water.

Joint Task Force Atlantic says a distress signal came from the vessel's beacon after 4 a.m. AT. A Cormorant helicopter, a Hercules aircraft, a Coast Guard vessel and another fishing vessel in the area responded.

A search and rescue technician jumped into the water and helped the vessel's four crew as they were hoisted into the waiting helicopter.

The vessel was 154 kilometres east of Shippagan, N.B. and 93 kilometres northeast of Tignish, P.E.I.

The conditions at sea and the reason the boat sank are not known, Lt.-Cmdr. Bruno Tremblay said.

"We're really happy that the four persons were brought ashore, and they appear to be in good condition," he said.

The fishermen were airlifted to the Charlottetown Airport and arrived there by 8 a.m. They were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown to be checked out.