People gather near water to thank searchers looking for two missing fishermen

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – The sound of car horns rang out over part of St. John’s harbour as residents of a small, grief-stricken community offered their thanks to crews who for days searched waters nearby for missing fishermen.

Vehicles lined a harbourfront road Thursday night to welcome a coast guard ship as it returned to port after the water search for two fishermen who remained missing was officially called off.

More than 100 residents of Shea Heights blared their horns and flashed their car lights in a gesture of appreciation for the search that began Tuesday after the open fishing boat Pop’s Pride was reported missing.

The bodies of two of four men on board were recovered later that night and search and rescue officials brought in several coast guard vessels and military aircraft to try to find the other two.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre said a Cormorant Helicopter, Hercules plane, two coast guard vessels and several local fishing vessels have all been involved in the search.

Their capsized boat was found off Cape Spear the following day but two men remained missing Friday as the RCMP took over the search, which was expected to focus on accessible coastal areas.

Police said in a statement that they have been consulting experienced ground search and rescue officials “to determine how best to utilize a land search when and where required.” Local helicopter companies have also been asked to watch for possible signs of the men, police say.

The search was expected to continue as people planned to gather at a church in Shea Heights for the funeral Saturday of 37-year-old William John “Billy” Humby, one of the men who died in the accident.

The other three fishermen have been identified as members of the same family, representing three generations. Keith Walsh, his son Keith Walsh Jr., and his father Eugene Walsh were on board the seven-metre boat.

The Transportation Safety Board is now looking into what led to the tragedy.