A Nanaimo RCMP officer rescued an unconscious man after his boat ran aground on a breakwater near the Snaw-naw-as First Nation campground.
Nanaimo RCMP received a call Sunday morning from the Canadian Coast Guard, which had heard several reports that a small vessel had run aground.
Officers arrived and found no one inside the damaged Campion runabout, said Nanaimo RCMP Sgt. Jon Stuart.
However, there was evidence someone was on board the vessel when it ran aground several hours earlier during high tide.
Officers found an unconscious man in his 40s lying on the rocks about 40 metres from the wreckage. The man, who was the sole occupant of the vessel, had collapsed while trying to walk to shore, Stuart said.
Mounties and Canadian Coast Guard personnel provided first aid until B.C. Ambulance paramedics and firefighters from Lantzville Fire Department arrived. The man was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Nanaimo RCMP Const. Deryk Roberts said it’s important that boaters be familiar with the area and remain vigilant for hazards while travelling in the dark.
