Fishery alliance crew member dies
Arctic Bay resident Tommy Tatatuapik remembered as friendly employee
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, October 19, 2015
IKPIARJUK/ARCTIC BAY
Arctic Bay resident Tommy Tatatuapik, 41, was found drowned Oct. 10, during a stop in Greenland while working on the fishing vessel Suvak for the Arctic Fishery Alliance.
Arctic Fishery Alliance vessel the Suvak, left, transfers its offshore turbot catch to its sister ship, the Atlantic Prospect, in Qikiqtarjuaq in 2013. Tommy Tatatuapik, a crewmember of the Suvak, was found drowned Oct. 10 during an offloading stop in Greenland. - NNSL file photo |
"It is with great sadness that we report the death of one of our valued crewmembers," stated fishery alliance CEO Lootie Toomasie in a message to his staff.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this news. Our hearts and our condolences go out to Tommy's family during this difficult and heart-wrenching time."
Toomasie was in Iqaluit last week preparing to fly to Arctic Bay to meet with Tatatuapik's family and deliver
them the body.
Speaking to Nunavut News/North, Toomasie said the death happened when Tatatuapik was out on free time away from the ship, which was offloading.
"They were offloading the boat last weekend, Friday," said Toomasie. "After free time, they have to come back to the boat ... but he didn't come back. He didn't return to the boat."
His body was found about 300 metres (1,000 feet) away on the shoreline. Local authorities told Toomasie that Tatatuapik had drowned.
No foul play is suspected, according to the chief coroner's office. How Tatatuapik ended up in the water is not clear.
"He had been working for us for three years," said Toomasie. "He's very friendly, he got along with (the other crewmembers) very well."
He said Tatatuapik had been alone that night, although the fishery alliance instructs crew to not go into towns alone during their free time.
The news of his passing saddened the crew, he said.
"We have told the crewmembers, especially Inuit that he was getting along with, that if they wish to go home, we allow them to do that," said Toomasie. "It will be very hard for them to stay on board if they are missing this person in their life."
Arrangements are being made for the funeral.
Toomasie said flying to Arctic Bay himself and spending time with Tatatuapik's family was important.
"I feel I should do this," he said.
