Missing kayaker found dead near Gibsons

Photo: Bruce Steele

A missing kayaker was found dead near Gibsons Saturday morning after an intensive all-night search involving the Canadian Coast Guard and three search and rescue units.

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 14 and Station 1, the Canadian Coast Guard and Sunshine Coast Ground Search and Rescue were involved in the search for the kayaker, starting Friday night.

A callout was initiated at about 8:15 p.m., according to Maritime Forces Pacific public affairs officer Christian Jax.

The initial search unfolded near and around Keats Island and Shoal Channel. 

Coxswain Tess Huntly of the Gibsons RCM-SAR unit said they were called to assist with the multi-unit search, with five members on the water into the early hours, followed by a replacement crew starting at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday.

Ground SAR was also called to assist with a shoreline search and were stood down by Saturday morning, according to manager Alec Tebbutt.

Two Coast Guard vessels were involved, as well as the CCGS Siyay hovercraft and helicopter, both of which continued the search into the night and into the morning, “and that’s when they found the kayaker,” said Jax, at which point the RCMP became involved. 

BC RCMP Communication Services confirmed the kayaker was located deceased without their kayak. A location was not disclosed. The RCMP is working to notify next of kin.

The kayak – a yellow, recreational sit-in – was listed as missing as of Sunday afternoon, according to a Station 14 social media post, which requested the public call the RCMP if it’s discovered (File number 2022-788).