14 rescued after boat begins sinking off Nanaimo
Fourteen people are safe after a harrowing incident off Gabriola Island, just east of Nanaimo, B.C.
An eight-metre boat began taking on water near Pilot Bay around 1:30 p.m. Sunday
A slew of vessels, from commercial boats to pleasure crafts, responded to the mayday call.
Evan Hogarth with C-Tow says he arrived just as the stern of the boat was about to sink underwater.
The Nanaimo-based captain says he then began pumping water out of the boat while another pleasure craft evacuated passengers.
A hovercraft arrived about 10 minutes later to take all 14 passengers to Richmond, B.C., according to Hogarth.
The damaged vessel, called the Deep Sniper, is based out of Richmond but was taken to Nanaimo for servicing after water was pumped out of the boat, says Hogarth.
A BC Ferries vessel running between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay was one of the many vessels that responded to the call.
BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall says the Queen of Alberni launched a rescue boat, but did not take anyone onboard.
"We were stood down by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre," said Marshall on Monday.
The sailing was delayed by about 30 minutes, according to Marshall.
"We want to thank our customers for understanding. BC Ferries is involved in marine rescues from time to time and our crews are highly trained to respond to marine emergencies," she said.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.