Flags Fly at Half Mast in Honour of Lost Fishermen

Flags at Province House and all provincial buildings in Shelburne County are at half mast today, March 5, in honour of Steven Cole Nickerson, one of five Nova Scotia fishermen lost at sea during a storm last month.

A memorial service for Mr. Nickerson was held in Woods Harbour this afternoon. Flags were lowered on the weekend for a similar service for fisherman Joel Hopkins, also of Woods Harbour.

"This is an unthinkable tragedy that has hit the community extremely hard," Premier Darrell Dexter said. "Lowering the flags here in Halifax and throughout Shelburne County is a sign of respect that also lets the family and friends of these men know that we are thinking of them at this very difficult time."

Memorial services are also planned for Billy Jack Hatfield of Cape Sable Island, and Katlin Nickerson and Tyson Townsend, both of Woods Harbour. Flags will be lowered to half mast for those services as well.