Crew on board Hullo Ferries were quick to action after a distress call was made by boaters who'd washed ashore on Snake Island. (submitted photo/Gabby Foglietta)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

quick rescue

Hullo ferry & Search and Rescue crews help stranded boaters off Nanaimo

Mar 24, 2025 | 10:55 AM

NANAIMO — Crew on board a local ferry to Vancouver, along with local first responders helped rescue four people from an uninhabited, rocky island.

Calls for help came around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 23 from a boat which had run aground on Snake Island, a small rocky island northwest of Gabriola Island, with several people on board.

A Hullo Ferries sailing between Nanaimo and Vancouver was nearby at the time, having left Nanaimo a few minutes prior, and deployed its rescue vessel to help.

They were first on scene, while additional support craft from both Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 27, and the Nanaimo Port Authority, were also deployed.

Four people were found on Snake Island and were eventually delivered back to Nanaimo.

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None required medical attention.

The Hullo Ferries vessel continued on its planned crossing after the arrival of the other crews.

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