Families in Harbour Round, Newfoundland and Labrador, are mourning two commercial cod fishermen who died at sea on July 21, 2026, while calling for urgent industry changes to remove the pressure harvesters face to work in dangerous weather conditions. Stanley Giles, 66, and Michael Peter Seymour, also 66, lost their lives after their speedboat took on water while commercial cod fishing in rough waters. The lone survivor, Stanley’s brother Junior Giles, managed to swim roughly 100 metres to shore before pulling Seymour from the water and attempting lifesaving CPR.
Tragedy on the Water and the Survival of Junior Giles
The fatal incident unfolded on a day when the water in the Atlantic Ocean was rough, according to Junior Giles. After his speedboat took on water, Junior Giles swam approximately 100 metres through the ocean before climbing up the rocks. When Seymour drifted to shore, Junior pulled him out and tried to perform CPR to save his friend’s life. Junior Giles waited hours on the rocks until another fishing boat found him, after which he aided in searching the water for his brother’s body.
Family members explained that the tragedy highlights systemic scheduling pressures in the fishing industry. According to Roxanne Payne, sister of Stanley Giles and Junior Giles, processors buy fish on only a select few days each week. That limitation creates intense pressure for harvesters to take risks and go out on the water even when weather conditions are unsafe. “What do you do when you only got a couple of days to get your quota?” Payne asked. “You take the risk, and you go.”
Did You Know? Stanley Giles was an exceptional twine-mender and jack of all trades who fished for the majority of his life alongside his brother, while Michael Peter Seymour was a skilled craftsman who constructed small boats and collected beach wood to build rocking chairs, benches, and traditional Newfoundland ugly sticks.
Community Remembrances and Calls for Regulatory Review
Thursday on the Baie Verte Peninsula brought widespread remembrances for both men. Stanley Giles was remembered by his family as a smart, funny 66-year-old husband, father, and grandfather who was one of 10 children. His niece, Shania Payne, noted that he spent his life providing for his family on the water and passed away doing what he loved. Michael Peter Seymour, also 66, was characterized as a generous joker and a handy craftsman who frequently shared food and fresh fish with local business owners like Evelyn Skinner, who operates a nearby grocery store.
Despite their profound grief, community members and family are rallying around Junior Giles. “We got to stay strong for the one that survived,” Roxanne Payne stated on the Harbour Round wharf, where boats continued operating on Thursday because harvesters still need to make a living. However, families want processors and regulators to alter rules so harvesters can stay home when wind and water conditions are too dangerous. Local MHA Lin Paddock visited the wharf Thursday and stated he will take the safety concerns directly to the minister of fisheries to discuss potential provincial and federal reviews.
In an emailed statement to reporters on Thursday, the federal Transportation Safety Board stated that occurrences of this nature do not result in formal investigation reports, though the information collected may be utilized for potential future safety analysis. Meanwhile, Roxanne Payne and other grieving family members are pushing for immediate government action to protect harvesters before further lives are lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the deaths of Stanley Giles and Michael Peter Seymour?
Both men died on Tuesday when their commercial fishing speedboat took on water while they were out fishing for cod in rough weather conditions on the Atlantic Ocean.
Who survived the incident at sea?
Junior Giles, brother to Stanley Giles, survived the incident by swimming about 100 metres to the shore, where he attempted CPR on Seymour and waited hours before another fishing boat rescued him.
Why are families calling for changes to the fishing rules?
Family members point out that fish processors only buy catches on select days each week, creating intense pressure for harvesters to go out in dangerous weather rather than risk missing their quotas.
How should the fishing industry balance economic quotas with crew safety during severe weather?
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