A sailor with the Royal Canadian Navy has gone missing from a ship that was en route back to Esquimalt from California.
The missing sailor has been identified by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as Master Sailor Duane Earle, a Boatswain serving on HMCS Winnipeg.
CAF says they are still investigating the details but believe the Winnipeg-born sailor accidentally fell overboard early on December 14.
At the time, the ship was approximately 500 nautical miles (926 kilometres) west of San Francisco, California.
HMCS Winnipeg was returning to Esquimalt after being deployed to the Asia-Pacific region on Operations PROJECTION and NEON.
Master Sailor Earle was not identified as missing until later in the day. HMCS Winnipeg turned back along its route and began a search along with a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.
On Tuesday, CAF said the search is still underway and being coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Alameda County, California.
Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard assets are being deployed in the search.
The CAF says they have contacted Earle’s next of kin and his family is being provided with support.
An investigation will be conducted into the circumstances of Earle’s disappearance.
“It is with heavy hearts that we have learned of the devastating news that Master Sailor Duane Earle, a Boatswain with HMCS Winnipeg is missing. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, shipmates and the entire Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces,” said Gen. Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, in a statement.
HMCS Winnipeg is a Halifax-class Frigate with a crew complement of approximately 240 members.
The frigate was deployed on September 4 to take part in Operation PROJECTION, a series of training exercises in the Asia-Pacific region with international partners.
HMCS Winnipeg was then deployed on October 5 to Operation NEON as part of a multinational effort to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea.
