A joint search and rescue mission is currently underway for a missing kayaker who disappeared around the Sooke area.
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue has confirmed that it has set out for the second day in search of Timothy Ross, who has been reported missing for over 12 hours.
Sooke RCMP say a number of witnesses have reported a solo kayaker continuing west towards Port Renfrew throughout the day with the last sighting being near the Shirley area.
Ross is described as a 38-year-old male who is approximately five-foot-eight inches tall and 170 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen in a black wetsuit, maroon striped wool toque and believed to be in a blue coloured river kayak.
The 38-year-old is described as an experienced kayaker.
According to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, they received a report about the missing the kayaker at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday night.
Ross was said to have departed shore at around noon on January 10.
JRCC says that the Cormorant aircraft and the Buffalo aircraft were deployed at around 7:30 p.m. when the search commenced on Sunday, however, had to cease the operation at approximately 11:00 p.m. due to low visibility.
The search resumed at around 5 a.m. on Monday morning.
Mutual aid SAR teams are assisting Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, the military and both the U.S. and Canadian coast guards in the search.
Other organizations involved include the Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization and the Metchosin Search and Rescue team.
Crews have focused their search efforts around the area of Ella Beach in Sooke.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is learned.
Sooke RCMP say Ross was last seen in a kayak similar to this one. (Sooke RCMP handout)
CHEK News
