The grandmother of a 14-year-old who died off the coast of Labrador and an MP from this province are the latest to demand improved search and rescue services following the boy's death.

The boy's parents have made a similar call and vigils have been held in many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador demanding the better services.

Charlotte Winters-Fost calls the Department of National Defence's response "criminal."

"How it's possible in this day and age - where technology and services are at their best - that calls for emergency help failed and a child died as a result?" she asked in a letter released to the media by Newfoundland and Labrador MP Ryan Cleary.

The department said it didn't send aircraft to take part in the search for Burton Winters until two days after the teen was reported missing because of bad weather and mechanical problems.

He was reported missing on Jan. 29 and found dead on the sea ice near Makkovik three days later on Feb. 1.

New Democratic Party MP, Ryan Cleary also said Defence Minister Peter Mackay's commitment to review search and rescue protocols doesn't go far enough.

Cleary said Labrador Conservative MP Peter Penashue asked for a full reivew, but he said what Mackay promised falls far short of that.