5 rescued after another boat sinks in B.C. waters

Saturna Island is pictured. (The Nature Trust of B.C.)

Five people were rescued after their boat sank near B.C.’s southern Gulf Islands Monday evening, the day after six people presumably drowned following a vessel sinking near Metro Vancouver.

A spokesperson for the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre told CTV News the vessel struck a reef near Winter Cove on Saturna Island.

The five people on board were rescued by nearby boaters, and there were no injuries reported.

The JRCC says the group weren’t wearing life jackets initially, but put them on after a passerby on a Jet Ski told them to as the boat was sinking.

Officials are reminding boaters to drive safe and wear a PFD.

On Sunday, a charter boat carrying 10 people sank in rough seas near Richmond, none of them wearing life jackets. Four people were rescued, and a massive search and rescue effort was launched for the remaining six, but it was called off late that night.

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The victims are presumed to have drowned and the operation has turned into a recovery mission.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby offered condolences to their loved ones on Monday, and thanked the many rescue crews who responded.