The Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP and search and rescue crews are searching the Strait of Juan de Fuca for a missing kayaker last seen Monday.
At around 12:05 p.m., the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) was contacted by Sooke RCMP after officers found a vehicle at Becher Bay that belonged to a man who was reported missing to Saanich police. The man’s father had contacted Saanich police after the man went kayaking and did not return.
Crews search for a missing kayaker off the coast of Vancouver Island on June 19, 2018.
Sooke RCMP spoke to a witness at Becher Bay in East Sooke who told police they last saw the man launch his kayak at 12 p.m. on June 18.
The Canadian Coast Guard issued an urgent overdue relay to all boaters near Sooke and Victoria to keep an eye out for the missing man. A red kayak was located near Hoskyn Point late Tuesday afternoon. Police confirmed the kayak matched the description of the one that the missing man was seen in.
A red kayak was found at Hoskyn Point near Sooke on June 19, 2018.
Crews are searching an area approximately 500 square nautical miles (1,717 square kilometres) off the coast of Vancouver Island from Sooke to Hein Bank, and Victoria to Port Angeles.
A Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) lifeboat from Victoria B.C. CCG Cape Calvert, CCG Auxiliary 35 and 37, a Transport Canada Dash 8 aircraft, and a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Cormorant helicopter and a Buffalo aircraft from 442 Squadron stationed out of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Comox are all being used in the search. JRCC is also liaising with the U.S. Coast Guard.
JRCC said search conditions are good, with low wind, low wave heights, good visibility and currents at 1.5 knots in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and five knots in the vicinity of Race Rocks.
The name of the missing man has not been officially released.
Alexa Huffman
