The Lucky Seven: The Story of the Elite Navigator

by Gary Collins

In July 2024, the Elite Navigator fishing boat and its crew seemed to vanish one night after fishing for turbot for several days at sea. The craft was reported missing after transmitting its final signal at around 8:30 p.m. the night before, according to the Canadian Coast Guard. The vessel had caught fire, forcing the crew to abandon the ship and wait for rescue on the life raft.

In New-Wes-Valley, which is an amalgamation of three small fishing communities along Newfoundland’s northeast coast, friends and family braced for the worst. But on July 19, Friday night, out on the ocean, searchers saw a light from a flare. It brought them to a life raft, where the seven fishermen—who people now call the Lucky Seven—were waiting.

This is the true story of a dramatic rescue at sea that took place after all hope had been lost. Award-winning author Gary Collins recounts the heroic efforts of the men and women on land, at sea, and in the air which led to a miracle, one which grabbed national headlines in the summer of 2024.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2025

Reviews

[Andrea Peckford]

finished in less than a day, recommend to read to just know and understand more.

[Linda Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story teller! Kudos, Gary Collins!

[Samantha Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I read this in less than 12 hours? Absolutely.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent storytelling of a rescue at sea in Newfoundland. As a Newfoundlander remembering this happening it's amazing to hear their stories and how they were saved. true heros, so proud

[Kenzie]

Being a Newfoundlander, it was impossible for me to have not heard of the story of the Lucky Seven, it was all over the news and social media back when it occurred. I was always so fascinated by the story, so I knew I had to pick this one up to hear the full thing. This is a story that is so incredible and unbelievable, it would be easy to believe it's fiction.

Gary Collins did an amazing job telling this story. It was clear to me that a lot of time and research was put in to not only tell this story, but to tell it right. There were points in this book where I could genuinely picture myself in the raft with these men, fighting to survive- That's how well the descriptions were. And even though I knew the outcome, I was still on the edge of my seat.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Gander and being so familiar with this story and many people who are connected, it was so fascinating and humbling to read the details and behind the scenes accounts. I really enjoyed reading it and the story telling by the author was great! It was interesting to recall everything I remember hearing and seeing on social media and the moment we all heard about the rescue, and match it with the timeline in this book.
Agree with the review below about the overuse of newfie slang and I also noticed some discrepancies with spelling of names, etc. But overall it was a fantastic read and would recommend to anyone who is or isn't familiar with the story of the Lucky Seven!

[Ida Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary casts a wide lens on those involved from the sinking of the Elite Navigator to the subsequent rescue of the crew days later. It is a well researched account that follows the timeline and gives us a look into the men dubbed the Lucky Seven before and after the near tragedy. I read anything Gary Collins for the prose. I was not disappointed.

[Ashley Bungay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book does justice to The Lucky 7 and portrays what these men had to go through during that horrible time. Based on a true event at sea in Newfoundland and Labrador, written with first-hand accounts from the survivors of the Elite Navigator.

[Jasmine Slaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to really put it in perspective of what those men really went through. Well told and emotional at times! Just didn’t love how the newfie slang/accent was overally accentuated at times, but I couldn’t put it down!