By Canadian Press

U.S. man lost at sea is rescued by Canadian crew west of Vancouver Island

Oct 27, 2023 | 10:13 AM

VANCOUVER — Sharp-eyed mariners on a Canadian vessel have rescued a U.S. man, one day after the United States Coast Guard ended its search for a commercial fishing boat from Washington state with two people aboard. 

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier says crew aboard the Canadian fish boat Ocean Sunset spotted a life-raft drifting in open ocean far west of Vancouver Island on Thursday.

A social media post from U.S. officials shows the life-raft from the 13-metre Evening fishing vessel was more than 200 kilometres northwest of Gray’s Harbour, Wash., the Evening’s home port, when it was found.

U.S. rescuers had suspended the search for the Evening on Wednesday, 11 days after it was reported overdue and two weeks after it had set out on what was supposed to be a three-day trip.

Strohmaier says when the Ocean Sunset reached the inflatable, covered life-raft, the unnamed man aboard was conscious and was in stable condition as he was taken to shore by Canadian Coast Guard responders.

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The fate of the Evening or the other person aboard are still undetermined, and Strohmaier says coast guard officials hope to speak to the survivor soon to determine whether to renew the search.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2023.

The Canadian Press