Photo/CBC/Sterling Eyford
The search for a canoeist missing off Tofino since Sunday morning is being scaled back and is now considered a missing persons case.
The man was last seen as he left to go fishing for an hour in a canoe off Ahousaht, north of Tofino, on Sunday at 11 a.m.
When he hadn’t returned, approximately 30 local boats started the search for the missing man near Flores Island beginning at 3 p.m.
The Victoria Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) was notified of an overdue canoe around 4:15 p.m.
The Canadian Coast Guard Prince Rupert Marine Communication and Traffic Services issued an urgency broadcast with negative results.
The Victoria JRCC tasked Canadian Coast Guard vessels Cape Anne and Tofino 1 and a Cormorant helicopter from 442 Squadron at CFB Comox to respond.
Multiple local vessels had also been assisting in the search, including numerous resources from Ahousaht. Local RCMP also had a helicopter on scene.
The canoe was later found in an area south of Ahousaht near Shot Islets in the Bartlett Island Chain.
The search for the missing man continued Monday morning with the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Tanu arriving on scene.
Monday evening, JRCC released this update.
“After an extensive 2 day search for the missing canoeist off Tofino, the JRCC has called a search reduction and handed this case to Ahousaht RCMP as a missing persons case. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the missing.”
The JRCC says the Ahousaht Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is continuing the search with local vessels and Ground SAR teams.
EOC staff is asking locals who can volunteer to contact them and join the search.
Ben O'Hara
