BC Ferries’ Queen of Alberni pictured on top, V2V’s vessel Empress pictured on the bottom
A BC Ferries and V2V vessel were diverted to a 60-foot sailing ship in distress, in the Strait of Georgia.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre says that a mayday relay was reported around 2 p.m. Sunday, resulting in nearby vessels to be diverted to assist.
The sailing ship was taking on water, and the two crew onboard were preparing to abandon ship near Sand Heads, off of the entrance to the Fraser River.
A Fraser River Port Authority vessel arrived first and was able to help pump water out and stabilize the ship.
Soon after Coast Guard vessels arrived on the scene, and BC Ferries’ Queen of Alberni and V2V’s Empress vessels returned back to their normal routes.
JRCC says that coast guard crews are on the scene still with the sailing ship — the vessel will most likely be towed to Richmond.
Julian Kolsut
