Four rescued after boat capsizes east of Vancouver Island
Four people were rescued near Savary Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island on Thursday evening after the vessel they were travelling in capsized.
According to Second Lieutenant Vatsal Shah of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the incident took place around 9 p.m. about 800 meters off of a beach on Savary.
The group was travelling on a 3.6-metre pleasure craft when it capsized.
"There were four people in the water and one of the persons from the boat using their cell phone made the call," said Shah.
The JRCC spokesperson initially said one of the overboard passengers attempted to swim to shore and was picked up by a boat in the area, while the other three were pulled from the water by the coast guard vessel Cape Caution.
CTV News Vancouver Island has since been contacted by the operator of the civilian boat, who says he was the first to pick up all four passengers, and later transferred them to the coast guard.
In a phone interview with CTV News on Saturday, the boater - who didn't want to be identified by name - said he was returning to Savary Island from fishing when he heard someone screaming for help.
It was the man who had attempted to swim to shore. When the civilian boater picked him up, he said there were three other people in the water.
So, the pair set out to find them, but the task proved difficult in the setting sun and rough seas. They called 911, then saw a light on the water. It was coming from the cellphone of one of the distressed boaters.
They were able to follow the light to the distressed boaters and pull them aboard. Coast guard crews arrived soon after.
Vessel tracking at the time of the incident shows that a BC Ferries vessel travelling between Powell River and Comox, as well one from Powell River to Texada Island, began making their way to the incident before they returned to their regular routes.
A Cormorant helicopter from 19 Wing Comox was also dispatched to the scene.
Shah says the four were taken to Powell River and then transferred to hospital by ambulance. All four are in good condition.
What caused the vessel to capsize is still unclear.
"We’re not sure. It’s most likely that it was overloaded, because there were four people on there, and it was just a 12-foot-pleasure craft," Shah said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.