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
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.