The captain of a charter boat that sank in British Columbia waters last Sunday has been identified by his mother as 23-year-old Chen Ming. Six people remain missing and are feared drowned following the incident, which occurred with 10 people aboard the 30-foot vessel. Four survivors were rescued suffering from hypothermia, and authorities confirmed that no one was wearing a life jacket at the time of the sinking.
Reported Vessel Concerns
Ashley Lin, the mother of the missing captain, stated in an interview that her son had previously expressed concerns regarding the state of the boat. Lin and the captain’s girlfriend, Hailey Lee, both reported that Chen had specifically noted that a side door on the vessel was broken. Lee, who indicated she had seen the damaged door herself, joined Lin in calling for the owner of the charter company—identified as Top Fishing in English and Haishang in Chinese—to provide a formal statement.
Did You Know? The vessel involved in the sinking was an aluminum boat manufactured by Kingfisher; however, it was still broadcasting under its former name, “Big Coast,” at the time of the accident because the new owners failed to update the automatic identification system (AIS).
Search and Investigation Status
The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team and West Coast Marine Services are currently utilizing sonar technology to locate the vessel. According to police reports, the boat sank in waters measured between 150 and 180 metres deep. The Richmond Serious Crimes Unit is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the sinking.
Expert Insight: The failure to update a vessel’s AIS is a significant regulatory and safety issue. Beyond the legal requirements for vessel identification, an outdated AIS creates a breakdown in communication between the boat’s operators and maritime authorities, as evidenced by the former owner being contacted by Transport Canada regarding an impoundment notice last July because his contact information remained linked to the system.
History of the Vessel
Tim Milne, the former owner of the boat, confirmed that he sold the vessel more than four years ago. Milne stated he was unaware of the tragedy until a friend alerted him after observing distress signals from the boat’s AIS data. While Milne described the boat as “extremely dependable” during his ownership, he noted that the weather conditions at the time of the incident were “tricky,” potentially creating hazardous maritime circumstances.
What May Happen Next
As the Richmond Serious Crimes Unit continues its investigation, authorities will likely focus on the maintenance history of the vessel and the company’s compliance with safety regulations, including the lack of life jackets. The search efforts remain constrained by the extreme depth of the site, which complicates recovery operations. Should the owners of Top Fishing be located, they may be required to provide documentation regarding the boat’s safety inspections and operational status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the investigation into the sinking?
The investigation is being led by the Richmond Serious Crimes Unit.
What is the status of the passengers?
Four people were rescued with hypothermia, while six others remain missing and are feared drowned.
Why was the boat still identified as “Big Coast”?
The new owners of the vessel did not update the boat’s automatic identification system (AIS) after purchasing it from the previous owner, Tim Milne.
How might the investigation into the vessel’s maintenance impact future charter boat safety regulations in the region?
