Search and rescue crews were looking for James Milito, 40, after his canoe was found adrift.
A 40-year-old man who was feared lost after an empty canoe was found adrift in the Sooke Basin has been found safe and sound on dry land.
Officials said at around 9:50 a.m., a Horne Road resident reported seeing a canoe adrift in the basin and a paddle washed up on shore.
Police believed the canoe and paddle belong to James Milito, 40, who lives on a sailboat anchored nearby. Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue launched a search operation.
At around 4:30 p.m., Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre Victoria confirmed the Milito had been found onshore at a local lake near Sooke. Authorities also said he had not been any distress at any point and had been using his canoe to get around the area.
Alexa Huffman
