Powell River RCMP say three men are dead after a boat capsized about 500 to 1,000 metres off the shore of Savary Island Thursday night.
Two men survived, according to an RCMP news release issued Friday. All five were from Tla’amin Nation.
RCMP said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), which leads search and rescue missions in the region, was alerted at about 10 p.m. PT Thursday that a “personal vessel failed to return to Lund Harbour as expected.”
A coast guard lifeboat was immediately deployed from Powell River, along with an inshore fast rescue craft from Cortes Bay and an Airforce Kingfisher aircraft from Comox, according to RCMP.
Const. Paula Perry with the Powell River RCMP said the detachment received a report from the JRCC at 11 p.m. that five men had gone out clam fishing and the boat had capsized. The report said two men had made it to shore while three others remained missing.
They were found deceased shortly after 11 p.m., Perry said.
Tla’amin Nation Hegus (Chief) John Hackett called it a profound tragedy for the community.
“Our hearts are with the families in mourning,” Hackett said in a statement.
He said the nation is grateful for the efforts of first responders and the outpouring of support from the public.
“We ask that peace and privacy be given to the families as they grieve and begin to help their loved one’s journey to the other side.”
He said the nation has opened its cultural centre to support the community.
The two survivors were taken to hospital, according to RCMP.
Police are assisting the B.C. Coroners Service in an investigation.
Savary Island, in the Salish Sea, is about 140 kilometres northwest of Vancouver as the crow flies.
