ST. GEORGE, New Brunswick (AP) – Police say they believe a crew member of a vessel that disappeared in the Bay of Fundy likely swam to shore before dying from exposure to extreme cold. The remains of Trent Gilmore, 32, were discovered in a remote coastal area near St. George.

The Lo-Da-Kash, a fishing boat based in Maces Bay, not far from St. George in southern New Brunswick, was last seen leaving Campobello Island with its four crew members on Jan. 23.

Coast Guard officials initially launched a three-day search but turned up nothing.

Sgt. Randy Geddes of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Thursday that Gilmore’s body was found by ground search teams well above the shoreline, near a wooded area. Gilmore was not wearing a survival suit.

“It looks like there’s a distinct possibility that Gilmore made it to shore under his own power,” said Geddes.

But the sargeant said Gilmore wouldn’t have lived a long time in the extreme cold. On the day the boat disappeared temperatures were minus 20 degrees, or minus 40 degrees with wind chill taken into account.

Paul Wilson, 44, of Dipper Harbour; Marilyn Ross, 47, of Pennfield, and Wes Boulter, 70, of Lepreau, were still missing.

However, the Mounted Police said a sonar has located an object on the ocean floor they suspect may be the Lo-Da-Kash, and a team of divers is expected to investigate.

The boat faced freezing spray and thick sea smoke caused by extreme cold, and some fear the Lo-Da-Kash may have iced up and capsized quickly, leaving the captain little time to call for help.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident.

Pieces of debris in the area seemed to indicate the boat had gone down a short distance offshore.

The owners of the vessel, the Kingsclear First Nation, identified an engine hatch cover from the missing boat that washed up onshore.

Band fisheries co-ordinator Pat Polchies said he’s confident the hatch is from the Lo-Da-Kash.

The Mounted Police said searchers will continue to scour coastal areas, looking for the other victims.

AP-ES-02-06-04 0839EST

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