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Search for mariners who capsized near Tofino now missing persons case

91ƵOur thoughts are with the loved ones of the missing.91Ƶ
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Local boaters joined a search effort Friday for three missing mariners whose vessel capsized near Tofino around 3 a.m. (Photo - Andrew Bailey)

The search for three missing mariners whose has been reduced and the file has been handed over to local RCMP as a missing person91Ƶs case, according to Victoria91Ƶs Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

91ƵAfter over 18 hours of extensive air, land and waterborne searching for three individuals reported missing after their vessel sank in the early morning off Duffin Cove in Tofino, on June 15th, JRCC Victoria has called a Search Reduction,91Ƶ read a statement from the JRCC around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

91ƵJRCC thanks the countless volunteers in kayaks and other small private vessels, and on the ground from the communities surrounding the search area, as well all our partner organizations, the CCG, RCM-SAR, Parks Canada, G-SAR, Emergency Management B.C., RCMP, Emergency Health Services, who assisted in the search. The case has been handed over to the RCMP as a missing person91Ƶs case. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the missing.91Ƶ

Tofino RCMP, Search and Rescue crews, 19 Wing Comox, the RCMP91Ƶs West Coast Marine Section and Underwater Recovery Team have been searching a roughly 41-square kilometre radius around Tofino after multiple 911 calls came in from West Coast residents who had heard calls for help.

Two people were located, one in the water and one who had swam ashore. Both stated three other people had been in the boat with them.

Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue Manager Garth Cameron said his team was called to the search around 3:30 a.m.

91ƵIt91Ƶs a hasty search where you get boats on the water instantly. Sooner the better. Put boots on the ground, sooner the better,91Ƶ Cameron told the Westerly News. 91ƵIt91Ƶs a shore search, it91Ƶs a ground search, it91Ƶs a bush search and it91Ƶs a hasty search.91Ƶ

Cameron held an impromptu press conference with reporters at Tofino91Ƶs First Street Dock around 1 p.m. and said the search had been extensive.

91ƵThe surrounding islands have been searched, on the shore, in the sands, on the rocks, the crevices. It91Ƶs been a very busy morning,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵYou never lose hope. You never give up and you give 110 per cent of your effort all the time.91Ƶ

He said the West Coast came together quickly with commercial operators joining search and rescue crews on the ocean.

91ƵWhen tragedy does happen in this community, it has always come together,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵIt91Ƶs a huge snowball effect and the town always supports each other.91Ƶ

He added the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations responded immediately.

91ƵWhen a call for help comes, regardless of the time, their response time is minutes. It91Ƶs a very close knit community here on the Coast,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵI know, without a doubt and in my heart of hearts, that they responded within minutes and they had people on the water.91Ƶ

Cameron, who has lived in Tofino for 36 years, said it is not uncommon for a vessel to be out at night and added that he knows the missing men.

91ƵIt91Ƶs a difficult day. But, I91Ƶm not the only one that has personal connections with the members that are missing,91Ƶ he said.

Tofino mayor Josie Osborne remained hopeful when she spoke to the Westerly around noon Friday.

91ƵThere91Ƶs nothing that91Ƶs ever easy about this. The connection that we have as a coastal community to the ocean is one that is deep and, when things like this happen, sometimes they have very, very, tragic outcomes. We91Ƶre really hoping for the best and we91Ƶll see what the day brings,91Ƶ she said.



Andrew Bailey

About the Author: Andrew Bailey

I arrived at the Westerly News as a reporter and photographer in January 2012.
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