Domestic Stories

HMCS MONTRÉAL Searches for Missing Sailor

NPAO 09.05 - February 9, 2005

HALIFAX -- HMCS MONTRÉAL is currently conducting a search and rescue mission to locate one of the ship's sailors, Leading Seaman Robert Leblanc, 24, who was last seen onboard Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. AST.

MONTRÉAL is serving with NATOs Reaction Force Maritime Group 1, and is located approximately 30 nautical miles north of Gdynia, Poland.

The ships traveling in company with HMCS MONTRÉAL, the Danish corvette Niels Juel, the American frigate USS McInerney and the Dutch destroyer HNMS Witte de With, have joined the search . In addition, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Gdynia is overseeing the search and has tasked the Polish frigate ORP General Kazimierz Pulaski, the ASW ship ORP Kaszub, two Coast Guard vessels and a coast guard helicopter.

HMCS MONTRÉAL's Sea King is also participating in the search for the missing sailor. Weather conditions are favourable for the search and rescue operation, with minimum winds and a calm sea state.

Family members of the sailor who is missing have been notified.

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NOTE: This is all the information we have at this time. Further information will be provided as soon as available. We thank you for your understanding.

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