Video courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard
An unconscious boater aboard a sailing vessel near Sooke was rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard aircrew Sunday.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre Victoria contacted the U.S. agency around 11:30 a.m. after receiving a distress call on VHF radio.
The helicopter was already in the air and was diverted to the scene.
A rescue swimmer was lowered into the water and with the help of a good samaritan, tended to the injured boater aboard the vessel.
The crew medically evacuated the boater and transported them to Victoria for further medical care.
A boater remained with the sailing vessel and had the good samaritan tow the boat back to Victoria, where he met with emergency medical services on shore.
Canadian officials are investigating the cause of the incident.
The MH-65 Short Range Recovery Helicopter used in the rescue (USCG)
Julian Kolsut
