Three people escaped a boat fire unharmed after they were picked up by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) in the waters off Oak Bay on Friday afternoon.
The coast guard says they received a message from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre that a 42-foot (13-metre) boat was on fire and taking on water in McNeil Bay around 1:30 p.m.
The coast guard’s fast response craft was dispatched and arrived about 10 minutes later, and spotted the vessel with three people on board.
By then, the fire was out, but the boat was taking on water, according to the CCG.
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(Canadian Coast Guard)
The coast guard’s CCGS Cape Sutil lifeboat then arrived and picked up the three people from the boat.
“Fortunately no injuries were reported,” the coast guard told CHEK News in a statement Friday.
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(Canadian Coast Guard)
The coast guard says it then towed the vessel further into McNeil Bay and beached it, since it was at a “high risk” of sinking.
“This prevented the vessel from sinking and helped to protect the marine environment,” said the Coast Guard. “It will also allow the vessel owner to activate his insurance and employ commercial assistance to recover the vessel from the beach.”
SEE ALSO:
- 4 rescued by Canadian Coast Guard in waters off Port Hardy
- Saving ‘pirate’ Ryan: Boat runs aground on Oak Bay beach
(CHEK News)
Adam Chan
