Vessel sank in Straight of Victoria, identified
Richmond RCMP Serious Crime Unit (SCU) continues to investigate the sinking of a commercial charter fishing vessel near Roberts Bank on June 28. The investigation remains active and is being conducted in coordination with several partner agencies. Investigators are examining all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the operation of the vessel, factors that may have contributed to the sinking, and the events that followed. The vessel involved has been identified as the Big Coast a 2017 Kingfisher 3025 Destination operated by Top Vancouver Fishing Charter Inc. There were 10 people on board the vessel at the time of the incident, including eight charter guests, the vessel operator, and one individual assisting the operator. Since the previous update, next-of-kin notifications have been completed for all victims and missing persons.Four occupants were rescued from the water following the sinking. Three survivors have since been released from hospital:• 33-year-old woman from Toronto, Ontario;• 33-year-old man from Redmond, Washington; and• 26-year-old man from Richmond, British Columbia.A fourth rescued occupant, a 28-year-old woman, a Chinese citizen residing in Seattle, Washington later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.Six individuals remain missing:• 33-year-old man from Toronto, Ontario;• 31-year-old woman from Redmond, Washington;• 31-year-old man a Chinese citizen residing in Seattle, Washington;• 29-year-old woman from West Vancouver, British Columbia;• 32-year-old man from West Vancouver, British Columbia; and• 22-year-old man from Richmond, British Columbia, who was the vessel operator. The families have asked that names of the people involved not be released to the media as they are asking for privacy to deal with this event. "Investigators continue to work diligently alongside our partner agencies to determine exactly what occurred and to identify all relevant factors that contributed to this tragedy," said Corporal Frank Bryson, Media Relations Officer. "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those affected by this incident."As part of the ongoing investigation, police have obtained statements from survivors and witnesses, reviewed photographs and video evidence, gathered information related to the vessel and its operations. Investigators continue to identify and engage with additional individuals who may possess relevant information regarding previous voyages involving the vessel. On July 6, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, supported by West Coast Marine Services personnel, successfully located the sunken vessel using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The vessel was found approximately 153 metres below the surface.Although investigators were able to confirm the vessel's identity, significant depth, darkness, and underwater conditions limited efforts to examine the interior. Searches of the surrounding seabed did not locate any occupants outside the vessel.Police and partner agencies are currently evaluating specialized recovery options, recognizing that the recovery of the vessel will require highly specialized marine equipment and technical expertise. The Richmond RCMP continues to lead the investigation and is working closely with Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), WorkSafeBC, and the BC Coroners Service as each agency carries out its respective responsibilities related to this incident.
