Sooke marine rescue called out to assist three in a boat stuck in thick Bull Kelp, East Sooke
At 20:17 last night, the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station Sooke was tasked by the Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria to a vessel with three persons on-board who experienced mechanical issues and had drifted into thick Bull Kelp and shallow waters off East Sooke Park.
With the use of an oar, they were able to prevent themselves from going onto the rocks while rescue crew got underway.
Under the dark night skies, using radar and the approximate last known position provided by JRCC, crews were able to quickly locate them with the help of a small light the persons were able to flash to help direct rescue crews.
Crew members carefully navigated towards the vessel which was situated approximately 10 feet from the rocks. A line was secured onto the boat where it was towed out into deeper and safer waters.
Crewmembers were then able to safely bring the small boat alongside and remove two adults and one child, and bring them into the cabin to warm up. We were happy to see that all people were wearing appropriate PFD’s when we arrived on-scene.
A short while later rescue crews brought the vessel and the people safely back to Becher Bay Marina where they secured their boat.
The call was classified a pan pan, which a measure of the state of urgency. A pan pan indicates there is urgency on board a vessel but that, for the time being at least, there is no immediate danger to anyone’s life or to the vessel itself.
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