Searchers looking for the capsized hull of the Miss Ally are reporting a small debris field near where the vessel once was.

The RCMP received help from the Department of National Defence and three aircraft patrolled in vicinity of the Miss Ally's last known position throughout Thursday morning and afternoon.

A Canadian Armed Forces CC130 SAR Hercules joined aircraft from Transport Canada, and Provincial Airlines to patrol an area more than 1,700 square km with no sighting of the intact capsized hull. Instead, small items of debris were spotted within a 5 nautical miles grouping and concentrated 10 nautical miles east of Miss Ally's last known position. Initial analysis of the photos taken during the patrol suggests it is likely these items are from the Miss Ally.

"We continue to exhaust all efforts in support of the RCMP and our thoughts and prayers are with the families," noted Rear-Admiral Dave Gardam, Commander of Joint Task Force Atlantic.

Thursday evening the RCMP gathered the families of the missing men to provide them with the most current update. In addition, the families were given photos from this afternoon's surveillance flights.

"This is devastating to the families and to the entire community. These men were deeply loved and the loss of young lives will impact the hearts and souls of the fishers and their community for many years to come," expressed RCMP Superintendent Sylvie Bourassa-Muise, District Policing Officer, Southwest Nova Scotia.

Read the full story at the Shelburne County Coast Guard>>