Teen campers rescued after canoes drift off N.S.

Six YMCA Big Cove campers are safe after their canoes drifted offshore on the Northumberland Strait near Pictou, N.S.on Tuesday.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax said the groupwas travelling in three canoes when high winds pushed them about one kilometre offshore.

Two girls were picked up in a cormorant helicopter, the other four teens hopped aboard an inshore rescue boat. A Hercules aircraft was also deployed.

They all had lifejackets, maps, compasses and bailers.

One of the campers is 18 and the other fiveare between the ages of 14 and 16.

"They were all rescued safe and sound and are reported to be in good health," said Maj. Martell Thompson.

Thompson also asked boaters to be careful. He said there havebeen 70 search and rescue calls since Saturday.

"That'sa pretty high tempo even for this co-ordination centre which tends to be busy this time of year," he said. "Be safe."

Earlier Tuesday,three fishermen from the boat, All Seven, were rescued after their 14-metre boat began taking on water 195 kilometres east of Halifax.