VICTORIA - Two adults and five young children had to be rescued on Monday night off the B.C. coast when their fishing vessel began sinking.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria says the rescue took place in the Georgia Strait off Galiano island about two miles from shore.
Acting Sub. Lt. Ron MacDougall said a call came in at about 8 p.m. PT that a 30-foot gillnet fishing vessel was sinking.
MacDougall said the adults and children were found clinging to the vessel and did not suffer any major injuries.
”The patients exhibited mild to moderate hypothermia,” he said.
”They were in very cold water for almost a half-hour.”
MacDougall could not say if the seven people were wearing life-jackets.
He said a Coast Guard hovercraft was the first of several vessels to head to the scene and its crew carried out the rescue.
Two B.C. Ferries, the Spirit of Vancouver Island and the Queen of Cowichan, as well as two Coast Guard vessels and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter were also at the scene to assist in the rescue if needed.
MacDougall could not say what caused the vessel to begin to sink, but noted the ship was in an area with rapids and may have been swamped.
He said the seven people were met on shore by B.C. Ambulance crews.
