A 28-year-old woman has died following the June 28 sinking of a charter vessel near Roberts Bank, British Columbia, according to Richmond RCMP. The victim, a Chinese national residing in Seattle, Washington, was one of four individuals rescued from the water; the other three survivors have since been released from the hospital. Six people remain missing and are presumed by investigators to have drowned.
Details of the Incident and Rescue
The sunken vessel, a 2017 Kingfisher 3025 Destination named Big Coast, was operated by Top Vancouver Fishing Charter Inc. Police report that 10 people were on board at the time of the incident, all of whom were in their 20s or 30s. The group included eight charter guests, the vessel operator, and an individual assisting the operator, with passengers hailing from British Columbia, Ontario, and Washington state.
The initial mayday call was placed at approximately 11:45 a.m. PT on June 28 by Brian Angus and Dorothy Stauffer, who were nearby on their sailboat. The couple reported seeing five people in the water without life jackets and no sign of a boat. They used a towed dinghy as a life raft to rescue three individuals, while a fourth person was recovered by responding crews.
The Big Coast has been located by a remotely operated vehicle at a depth of approximately 153 metres. However, investigators have been unable to examine the interior of the vessel due to the darkness, depth, and difficult underwater conditions.
Current Status of the Investigation
Authorities have confirmed that searches of the seabed surrounding the wreck did not locate any of the six missing individuals. The missing include a 33-year-old man from Toronto, a 31-year-old woman from Redmond, Washington, a 31-year-old Chinese citizen from Seattle, a 29-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man from West Vancouver, and the 22-year-old vessel operator from Richmond.
The RCMP is currently working with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), Transport Canada, WorkSafeBC, and the B.C. Coroners Service. Investigators are evaluating specialized recovery options, though officials note that such an operation will require highly technical marine equipment and expertise.
The recovery of a vessel at a depth of 153 metres presents significant logistical and safety hurdles. Beyond the physical constraints of the environment, the involvement of multiple federal and provincial agencies indicates a complex, multi-layered investigation that will likely focus on vessel safety standards, charter operations, and the circumstances leading to the rapid sinking of the Big Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently missing from the incident?
The missing individuals include a 33-year-old man from Toronto, a 31-year-old woman from Redmond, a 31-year-old Chinese citizen from Seattle, a 29-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man from West Vancouver, and the 22-year-old vessel operator from Richmond.
What is the next step for the vessel recovery?
Investigators are currently evaluating specialized recovery options. This process is expected to require highly specialized marine equipment and technical expertise due to the depth and conditions at the site.
Are the names of the victims being released?
No. The RCMP stated that families have requested privacy and have asked that the names of those involved not be released to the public.
What additional safety measures might be implemented for commercial charter vessels following this investigation?
