British Columbia charter boat sinking leaves six missing

A charter fishing vessel capsized and sank in the Georgia Strait off Richmond, British Columbia, on Sunday, June 28. The boat was carrying ten people; four survivors – three men and one woman – were rescued by a passing sailing yacht and later taken to hospital, with one survivor now discharged. The six remaining passengers, four men and two women, are presumed drowned.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Coast Guard launched a large‑scale rescue effort, involving air‑force aircraft, marine search and rescue teams, BC Ferries and other assets. After an extensive surface search, the operation shifted to recovery as divers and an underwater recovery team prepared to locate the vessel at depths of 150‑180 metres. The cause of the sinking is under investigation, and authorities noted that none of the passengers were wearing lifejackets, which likely reduced survival chances.