Dead, missing yacht sailors were from Georgia

The RCMP says the sailor who died and three others who are presumed drowned off Nova Scotia were all from Georgia, in eastern Europe.

Sgt. Brigdit Leger, spokeswoman for Nova Scotia RCMP, said the man who died after he was plucked from a sinking sailboat earlier this week was 43 years old.

She said the missing men are 23, 27 and 28.

RCMP continue to investigate their disappearance at sea as a missing persons case, Leger said Friday.

Nine men were aboard the SV Tabasco 2 when it ran into heavy seas. They were about 148 kilometres south of Cape Sable Island when they called for help late Monday.

A nearby tanker, FSL Hamburg, picked up three of the men. A military search-and-rescue team hoisted three others —including the man who later died — off the sinking yacht.

The sailboat, which wasn't registered, was on its way to Nova Scotia, RCMP said Wednesday.

The Canada Border Services Agency confirms it's looking into the tragedy as a possible attempt at human smuggling.

Investigators were in Saint John, N.B., for the arrival of the tanker Wednesday afternoon. They questioned the three survivors for about three hours.

The two rescued by a Cormorant helicopter are still at the hospital in Yarmouth, N.S., where they were taken early Tuesday. CBSA agents met with them late Wednesday afternoon.

The CBSA won't give specifics about the case, but says once the survivors are processed, they could be arrested if their identities aren't confirmed or if they're considered a flight risk or danger to the public.

If that happens, a detention review must be held within 48 hours.