RICHMOND: The underwater search for a charter boat that sank off the British Columbia coast on Sunday, leaving six people presumed drowned, has been significantly slowed down by “challenging” marine conditions, local authorities confirmed.
In an update provided on Thursday, the Richmond RCMP stated that the Underwater Recovery Team and West Coast Marine Services are actively utilizing specialized SONAR technology to pinpoint the location of the sunken vessel. However, the detachment emphasized that the current environment underwater is making the entire operation both slower and more complicated. Officials warned that this is not a quick process, noting that even if the vessel is located immediately, safely investigating, documenting, and recovering it could take several additional days.
The tragic incident occurred over the weekend when the boat went under with ten people on board, triggering a massive search and rescue operation. While rescue crews successfully located four individuals and brought them safely ashore, the initial search was eventually stood down. Following the suspension of active rescue efforts, police announced that the remaining six passengers are tragically presumed to have drowned.
An investigation into the exact cause of the sinking remains ongoing. A spokesperson for the Richmond RCMP expressed gratitude to the community, stating that they appreciate everyone’s continued patience and understanding as teams work through the difficult conditions to locate the vessel and provide answers to awaiting families.
