Update: The search for a missing Esquimalt-based sailor has been called off.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement of condolences to the family and shipmates of Master Sailor Duane Earle.
"For over 30 years, MS Earle selflessly answered the call of duty. His dedication to our country and its values represented the very best of what it means to be Canadian," Trudeau said.
The search was called off Tuesday evening, Maritime Forces Pacific said in a statement early Wednesday.
"Sadly, he has not been found," the statement said. Read the full story here.
Earlier story
The search continues for a Canadian Armed Forces sailor from Esquimalt-based HMCS Winnipeg who is missing at sea.
He has been identified as Master Sailor Duane Earle, a boatswain, from Winnipeg. He has been in the armed forces since June 1990, starting as a member of the naval reserve.
“Master Sailor Earle is a sailor’s sailor,” Commodore Angus Topshee, commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific, said Tuesday at a news conference.
Earle has spent almost 2,000 days at sea in his career.
Topshee said he was speaking about what happened “with a heavy heart.”
At the time Earle went missing early Monday, the ship was about 500 nautical miles west of San Francisco, Topshee said.
There were four- to five-metre waves at the time — typical conditions in the area — which would make it hard to spot someone in the water.
“Accidents can happen at sea in any conditions,” Topshee said.
Topshee said the search effort is being overseen by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center in Alameda County, California.
“We are working very closely with them to ensure Master Sailor Earle is given the best chance of being rescued.”
He said the sea conditions present significant challenges.
Topshee said Earle was last seen on the ship on Monday about 4 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard time or 5 a.m. Pacific time, and he wasn’t noticed to be missing until about 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard time.
“He did not turn up for a departmental meeting and could not be found,” Topshee said. “When it was apparent Master Sailor Earle was missing, the chain of command immediately conducted a muster of the ship’s company and two rapid searches of the ship.
“This is the standard initial response when someone is thought to be missing.”
When Earle was not located during the initial searches, a detailed search of the ship was carried out, Topshee said.
“At the same time, Winnipeg turned around and commenced a search back along its previous track.”
A Cyclone helicopter also began searching, along with an Aurora aircraft from CFB Comox that was in the area on routine patrol.
The ship had been deployed on Operations Projection and Neon and was heading back to CFB Esquimalt.
Earle’s next of kin was notified in-person by Topshee and his staff.
“This is an unimaginably difficult time for the family and crew,” Topshee said. “My thoughts since I heard the news are with Duane’s family and friends and shipmates.
An investigation into the circumstances of the incident will be conducted.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said everything possible is being done in the search.
“We are dedicating all available resources to search for Master Sailor Duane Earle in hopes of bringing him home,” he said.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance expressed his sorrow. “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, shipmates and the entire Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces.”
Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, said the timing of the incident is difficult.
“With this happening so close to the end of this deployment and with the holiday season looming, it’s simply devastating and is felt across our extended naval family.
HMCS Winnipeg, with about 230 officers and sailors, was deployed for its two Asia-Pacific operations in September to conduct training, and to meet with foreign navies and other security partners.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
