Man rescued by BC Ferries crews after canoe capsizes

Man rescued by BC Ferries crews after canoe capsizes
Cameron May @pastiscam
"A rescue craft deployed from a BC Ferries vessel Saturday night

One man was rescued by BC Ferries crews Saturday night after his canoe capsized near Mayne Island.

BC Ferries spokesperson Astrid Braunschmidt says the Queen of Cumberland, that was heading from Pender Island to Mayne Island, and the Spirit of BC, heading from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, both launched rescue crafts after being notified of a vessel in distress.

A man was seen on a rock with his canoe overturned at Helen Point in active pass, by the time both rescue teams arrived the man had swam to a nearby shore.

After determining the man was from Mayne Island the Queen of Cumberland’s rescue craft drove him to the terminal at Village Bay, where a BC Ferries vehicle was waiting with the heat on.

He was then transferred to the BC Ambulance Service.

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we were responding to this incident,” said Braunschmidt.

The RCMP later towed the man’s vessel back to the Island, and officials say he was not wearing a life jacket.

Both ferries were delayed between 15 to 30 minutes following the incident.

“Our crews are trained to respond to marine rescues, last fiscal year we responded to 15 marine rescues,” said Braunschmidt.

“We wish the man involved a speedy recovery.”

One BC Ferries passanger says an announcement was made after the rescue on-board, that said the person involved was safe.

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