A helicopter searches the water and shorelines around Saysutshun and Protection Island overnight on Monday, April 11. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Feared drowning

Search continues for man believed to have fallen overboard in Nanaimo Harbour

Apr 12, 2022 | 1:55 PM

NANAIMO — An extended search is ongoing for a man who RCMP believe ended up in the frigid waters of Nanaimo Harbour.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said emergency responders were alerted on Monday, April 11 at 8:40 p.m. to a report of a man and woman in the ocean near a sailboat off Saysutshun Island, not far from Protection Island.

“They found her literally clinging to life, she was holding onto a sailboat from the water. Her head was just above the water, they pulled her out. She was extremely hypothermic and severely intoxicated as well.”‘

The Nanaimo Port Authority estimated the 58-year-old woman was in the ocean for about 20 minutes.

While she is recuperating in hospital and expected to recover, O’Brien said her partner has not been located and the search for him continues.

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O’Brien said it’s feared the man drowned.

“We’re working on the assumption that there was also a man seen in the water with her. That was most likely her partner and they reside on the sailboat. An extensive search was carried out last night for this individual.”

He said the RCMP’s dive team continues searching for the 59-year-old man on Tuesday, while other resources including Nanaimo Search and Rescue are conducting area shoreline searches.

O’brien noted there is nothing to indicate anything criminal occurred.

On-shore searches included at the man’s workplace, turning up no sign of him, O’Brien said.

The last known clothing worn by the missing man was blue jeans, a blue and black shirt and either runners or flip-flops.

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