Four boaters and a dog were rescued near Discovery Island on Friday evening in an operation that involved Canadian and U.S. search-and-rescue units.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre was notified about 6 p.m. of a mayday call originating from a motor yacht taking on water about three nautical miles south of Discovery Island, east of Oak Bay.
Two aircraft based out of 19 Wing Comox — a CC-138 Hercules and a CH-149 Cormorant — were dispatched in addition to a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Marine vessels deployed included the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Calvert and 33 Oak Bay, a coast guard auxiliary vessel.
JRCC spokesperson Capt. Chelsea Dubeau said that four individuals and a dog were rescued.
At 8:05 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located three people and a dog in a dinghy and airlifted them from the water.
The fourth person was spotted by the Comorant about an hour later.
All four people were taken to hospital. Their conditions were not disclosed.
Dubeau said that the rescue was a great example of the co-ordination and co-operation between the U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Air Force.
Dubeau advised those taking to the water this long weekend to “stay safe, and be prepared.”
