Mr. Speaker, I am rising in the House today to recognize heroic actions of Eric Nickerson, Trevor Munroe, and their fellow Coast Guard members.
Last month, the Canadian Coast Guard responded to a distress signal 50 miles offshore of Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia. A helicopter and two Coast Guard vessels responded to the call of a vessel in distress. Mr. Nickerson, a crew member on the Coast Guard vessel Spray, ended up in the water supporting the person from the jeopardized vessel for 15 to 20 minutes before helping him to safety. Mr. Nickerson does not consider himself to be a hero. He says that it is just part of his job.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, the lobster season in LFA 33 and 34 opened last week, and safety of their loved ones is always on people's minds at this time of year. It is important to recognize the work that crews of fishing vessels and the men and women of the Coast Guard do for folks back home so their families are home at the end of the day.
I would like to wish all of those who work on the water a safe and prosperous season.