Mel Rocchio of Alert Bay has been identified by family as the fisherman who is missing and presumed drowned after a fishing boat capsized Monday off Comox.
WorkSafe B.C., Transport Canada and the RCMP are investigating what caused the Miss Cory, a 19.5-metre wooden vessel, to capsize on opening day of the commercial seine roe-herring fishery in the Strait of Georgia.
The four others on the boat were rescued by vessels fishing in the waters off Cape Lazo.
Rocchio had been fishing out of the Campbell River Fisherman’s Wharf for about 15 years, according to Phyllis Titus, manager of the Campbell River Harbour Authority.
Titus, who met Rocchio about seven years ago, said he was the type of person who became instant friends with anyone who crossed his path.
“He always made you laugh while being as quiet as a mouse or as loud as an ox,” Titus said. He was the type of friend “who’s willing to help anyone, any time.”
Rocchio was married, and while the couple did not have children, he treated his nieces and nephews like his own children.
Some in the fishing industry would jokingly call him “Melfunction,” Titus said, but Rocchio was a jack of all trades: heavy equipment operator, mechanic, carpenter and hunter.
“He was a fabulous man, one of the true gentlemen in the fishing industry,” she said.
It’s believed the fishing nets became overloaded and Rocchio went down to the engine room to turn off the pumps. Witnesses said the vessel capsized in a matter of 10 to 15 seconds after it began listing.
Canadian Coast Guard vessels and a 442 Squadron Cormorant helicopter from Canadian Forces Base Comox responded and launched a four-hour search of the waters three to four nautical miles off Comox. Rocchio was not located.
Kevin Smith, the owner of the Prince Rupert-based vessel, said he couldn’t give out any information on what caused the ship to overturn.
“We’re not quite clear on what happened yet, so we can’t really say. We are investigating,” Smith said.
He said all five crewmembers were experienced fishermen.
“The four people are doing fine,” Smith said.
The Transportation Safety Board has deployed two marine investigators to the area. They will conduct interviews and gather as much information as possible, said spokeswoman Sophie Wistaff.
The boat has not been recovered from the water.
