The daughter of hockey Hall of Famer Bob Gainey was swept off a Nova Scotia ship during an Atlantic storm, and Canadian and US rescuers are looking for her in an extensive ocean search.
Laura Gainey, a 25-year-old crew member whose father is the Montreal Canadiens' general manager, was swept off the covered deck of a Caribbean-bound vessel by a large wave on Friday night.
A US Coast Guard vessel searched through Saturday night and aircraft resumed searching at first light Sunday, Coast Guard spokeswoman Faith Wisinski said. They are scouring an area about 764km southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusets.
US Coast Guard spokesman Larry Chambers said crews using a plane and two vessels planned to search overnight on Sunday for Gainey. Another plane would be on standby for possible use yesterday morning.
"Our crews have night-vision goggles and infrared abilities on board to pick up temperature changes in the water," Chambers said. "All help in night searches."
Gainey had been in the water for approximately 41 hours without a lifejacket, but was wearing warm protective clothing. Wisinski said the water is warm, but life-threatening hypothermia ordinarily sets in after 36 hours.
The Canadian search and rescue center sent a Hercules aircraft to the area. Mindanao, a civilian tanker, is participating in the search, along with Gainey's boat, the Picton Castle.
Dan Moreland, senior captain of the Picton Castle, said Gainey is a volunteer on the tall ship. He called her a "well-loved crew member," who is very fit and a strong swimmer.
Bob Gainey learned Saturday that the missing woman was his daughter. Players and coaches had a day off on Sunday and were not available for comment. The team said "the thoughts and prayers of the entire Montreal Canadiens organization are with Mr. Gainey and his family."
Bob Gainey is awaiting news on the search with his three other children, Anna, Colleen and Steve. The club said assistant general manager Pierre Gauthier will handle Gainey's responsibilities. Gainey also holds the title of executive vice president.
Moreland described the situation as "completely devastating for everybody" on the vessel, which undertakes voyages around the world. He said hundreds of former crew members of the ship have expressed concern.
"It could happen to any ship, to any captain," he said from headquarters. "And, from my point of view, it's the captain's greatest fear."
Gainey first joined the ship as a trainee in Cape Town, South Africa, in the last three months of the ship's world voyage.
Bob Gainey, who turns 53 on Wednesday, won five Stanley Cups with Montreal.
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