Search for missing man from capsized row boat called
By Nelson Daily Staff
RCMP has called off the search for for missing man believed to have been in a rowboat that capsized near Mayne Island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia.
The male is in his early 20s with blonde hair and a slim build. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with blue jeans and gum-boots.
The search resulted after two men in their 20s departed the Lyall Harbour Government Wharf on Saturna Island in a 10 foot double rower row boat Friday (December 12) at 11:30 p.m.
The men were head from Lyall Harbour towards Mayne Island, where they had a sailboat anchored, that had begun drifting due to high winds from the last storm.
While en route towards the sailboat, the rowboat capsized and submerged, leaving the two males in the frigid waters.
One male was able to swim to Mayne Island, where at daybreak he was able to contact the Canadian Coast Guard and the Outer Gulf Islands RCMP to report his friend missing.
A search was initiated Saturday (December 13) at 10 a.m. of the waters and the surrounding Gulf Islands commenced, using ground, water and air resources from several government and volunteer agencies.
Late in the afternoon the rowboat was located, along with a single life jacket and several other items from the row boat.
As nightfall came, the search for the missing male was called off by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Outer Gulf Island RCMP.
Sunday (December 14) volunteers from the Saturna Island Fire Department, the Saltspring Island Search and Rescue, Parks Canada and the RCMP initiated another extensive search of the area and the missing male was still not located.
At this time the search for the missing male has ended.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Outer Gulf Islands RCMP Detachment.
The RCMP is not releasing the names of the two men involved in order to respect the privacy of the families and friends of those involved.
