Coast Guard rescues seven from water near Galiano Island
Posted September 30, 2014 12:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130)- Seven people, including two kids, have been rescued from the chilly waters near Galiano Island.
It happened after a 30-foot gillnet fishing vessel began sinking in the Strait of Georgia around 8 p.m. yesterday.
A Coast Guard hovercraft was able to quickly respond to the marine distress call and got two adults and five children to safety.
Acting Sub. Lt. Ron MacDougall at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria says the seven were found clinging to the vessel and did not suffer any major injuries.
”The patients exhibited mild to moderate hypothermia,” he tells us. ”They were in very cold water for almost a half hour.”
MacDougall could not say if the seven people were wearing life-jackets.
Two BC Ferries, two Coast Guard vessels and a US Coast Guard helicopter were also at the scene to assist in the rescue, if needed.
MacDougall could not say what caused the vessel began to sink, but notes the ship was in an area with rapids and may have been swamped.
The seven people were met on shore by ambulance crews.
Darin Guenette with BC Ferries says two of their vessels started to proceed to the area but were called off after the Coast Guard rescue. He notes it’s not uncommon that BC Ferries is called to help.
“We have 500 sailings a day across our whole fleet and around the clock in the off-peak winter season and just about always have a vessel in the area. Things happen out there. Our employees are trained marine professionals and we’re one of the first resources the Coast Guard or rescue centre can call on to see if we can help,” says Guenette.
