The search for the second boater missing in waters near Prince Rupert has been called off by the Joint Rescue Coordination but RCMP will continue the search, says Sgt. Dave Uppal.
"Right now we're treating it as a missing person. We are liaising with the family. We've got our marine section that is going to be on their way up there right now and they'll be continuing with the search."
Whether the search will continue day and night, Uppal says "I'm not sure exactly the logistics behind that and the time frame."
Two people were reported missing at sea at 5 p.m. on Monday evening in the Kitkatla region, south of Prince Rupert.
As of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, one person aboard the missing 14-foot boat had been located and safely escorted onto Canadian Coast Guard ship Gordon Reid.
The search for the second person involved the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Gordon Reid [and a second one] as well as a Royal Canadian Air Force Cormorant helicopter and Buffalo aircraft. A vessel of opportunity, the Freeport is also assisting in the search, according to Sub-Acting Lieutenant Melissa Kai with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria.
Late Monday night and before the first missing person was found, as weather conditions worsened, all assets except the Gordon Reid were "stood down".
The Facebook page of Kitkatla Royal Canadian Marine (RCM) Search and Rescue 74 provides further details.
"Our prayers and thoughts are with the family members and all of community as we continue to search. We are coordinating a search from Gitxaala, we have 13 boats, 3 from Kitkatla,2 RCMP helicopters and a plane, 3 boats from Metlakatla, Tsimshiam Storm, the Gigata Guardian, the Cape Dolphin, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) 64 Prince Rupert,and 3 Zodiacs in the water. On the Rupert side the GEM/CIC office has set up the board room for community member to use. Call the CIC office 250 624 4327 or Finn’s cell # 250 600 5491 for rides, or if you wish to help," said the post.
With files from Kevin Campbell