That sparked a major search and rescue response that included a Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat, a fast rescue craft out of Cortez Bay and an RCAF Kingfisher rescue aircraft from Comox. Meanwhile, Powell River RCMP officers and crews from Savary Island Fire did searches along the shoreline and the three missing men were found dead. Two survivors were taken back to Powell River to be assessed. Police are assisting the B.C. Coroners Service investigating the tragedy. The boating fatalities come during a week when three
other people died by drowning in the region. On the afternoon of May 20, first responders rushed to the aid of an unresponsive scuba diver in the waters off Gabriola Island. The 66-year-old man, an island local, was found in the water near a mooring buoy and, despite life-saving efforts by bystanders and emergency services, was pronounced dead at the scene. A police investigation determined the man entered the water alone at the Degnen Bay dock and swam about 30 metres before witnesses saw that
he was motionless on the surface for several minutes. “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the man’s family and those who were involved in the response,” said RCMP Cpl. Brett Urano. The investigation has been turned over to the coroner’s office.
Savary Island, clam-fishing boat, capsized, search and rescue, Canadian Coast Guard, RCAF Kingfisher, Powell River RCMP, Savary Island Fire, B.C. Coroners Service, Gabriola Island, scuba diver, Degnen Bay dock
Damn that’s awful. I swear every year seems worse.
Wait so the clam boat capsized and also a scuba diver died?? Sounds like bad timing or everyone was out at once. I don’t even get how they can find people so fast though.
So they found three men dead, but were there two survivors too? Like I’m trying to understand if the survivors were from a different incident or the same boat. Also why is an RCAF plane involved, like the Coast Guard can’t handle it?
This part about the scuba guy swimming 30 metres alone… that feels like he got in over his head and nobody’s talking about that. And then they list a bunch of agencies like it’s a checklist, but people still die. Might be the water temp or currents or whatever but I’m just sad for the families.