Under a blue sunny sky, an elderly couple from Prince Rupert took their vessel out for a cruise in Douglas Channel last Saturday, Sept. 2, but after finding themselves in rough water they issued a Pan Pan distress call.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 63 (RCM-SAR 63) received the call at approximately 1 p.m. and a crew of four were on the scene, two to three nautical miles from Kitimat, within 20 minutes.
“We responded with our vessel and saw an elderly couple on board,” said station 63 leader Spencer Edwards.
Despite the clear skies, he said the waves were three to four feet and the couple had come too close to the shore where they were in danger of damaging their vessel.
“We were able to take them off their vessel and then to Kitimat. The gentleman was diabetic and needed some medical help,” he said.
Edwards said the couple were in shock and paramedics came to the dock to assist. After the couple were medically assessed they made their way home.
On average, RCM-SAR 63 receives approximately 20 calls a year, and so far Edwards said this is an average year. A Pan Pan distress call is made if there is no immediate danger to life or property, as opposed to a Mayday call, which is used for a life-threatening situation.