Four people have been rescued from waters off the coast of Greater Vancouver after a massive search was launched Sunday afternoon near Sea Island in British Columbia.
The Canadian Armed Forces say their Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Victoria was notified of a civilian vessel of several people in the Strait of Georgia without personal flotation devices.
The search occurred approximately 10 nautical miles (18 km) southwest of Vancouver International Airport.
Get the latest national news
Get the latest Canadian news in your inbox as it happens, so you never miss a trending story.
A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft from 19 Wing Comox, along with the Canadian Coast Guard Hovercraft Siyay and the main lifeboat Station Ganges, were all dispatched. Royal Canadian Navy Search and Rescue Auxiliary Stations 6, 7 and 8 were also dispatched to perform a rescue and search for more people.
Ferries from BC Ferries and Hullo Ferries were also diverted from their normal operations between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to assist in the search.
According to CAF, four people were taken to Coast Guard Station Sea Island as of 3:15 p.m. They have since been transferred to emergency medical services.
A further six people are believed to be still in the water and CAF said the search for them is ongoing.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
