Premier and Minister Honour Cougar Flight 491 Anniversary

The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources, today recognized the four-year anniversary of Cougar Flight 491.

“I speak on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, when I say that this date will forever be remembered as a day of great loss and tragedy in the history of our province,” said Premier Dunderdale. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends today as we pause and reflect on the 17 lives lost and the loved ones left behind.”

On March 12, 2009, 17 individuals lost their lives when the helicopter en route to the SeaRose FPSO and the Hibernia platform ditched off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. There was one survivor.

“The Cougar Flight 491 tragedy is a constant reminder of the perils associated with making a livelihood on the sea and the sacrifices made each day by the many men and women who travel to and from the offshore,” said Minister Marshall. “The current regulatory regime ensures the highest safety and environmental standards however, we continue to work with stakeholders to improve and enhance the measures in place.”

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2013 03 12                     11:30 a.m.