RCMP call off three-day search for missing boater in B.C.’s Gulf Islands

SATURNA, B.C. – The Mounties say they’ve called off the search for a missing boater who disappeared when a rowboat capsized in B.C.’s southern Gulf Islands.

A news release says two men on a three-metre rowboat left Lyall Harbour on Saturna Island late Friday night, en route to their sailboat on Mayne Island.

They faced high winds and the boat capsized, leaving the men in cold water.

One of the men managed to swim to Mayne Island, where he was able to contact the coast guard and the RCMP to report his friend missing.

Several agencies and volunteers participated in a ground, water and air search, and while they found the rowboat, they did not find the man.

RCMP say the search has now ended.