In the end, it was a false alarm.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue members were out on the waters of Howe Sound just off Newport Beach on Thursday morning searching for people who may have been on a vessel when it overturned. At 8 a.m. the rescuers from Station 4 Squamish were dispatched to check for people in an overturned 15-foot vessel with significant damage to the hull, according to Scott Shaw-MacLaren of RCMSAR.
Members from the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy and air support were also on the scene to search.
The boat’s owners came forward safe and sound at 10 a.m. and reported to the marine rescuers. They said that the boat had overturned on Wednesday night.
Boaters are reminded of the increased risk of operating a vessel after dark and that when incidents occur or a vessel or safety equipment is lost, it is important to report the incident to the Coast Guard so that unnecessary searches are avoided.
