A helicopter flies low to the shoreline looking for anyone aboard a sailboat found off the coast of Neck Point Thursday afternoon. (Stacey Sala)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

extensive operation

Search resumes off Nanaimo after abandoned sailboat found

May 16, 2025 | 8:58 AM

NANAIMO — Rescue crews are resuming the search for anyone aboard a sailboat found along the Nanaimo coast.

Crews were dispatched by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre on Thursday, May 15 around 2 p.m. to waters just north of Neck Point in Nanaimo, where a white sailboat was found with no-one on board.

Russel Berg, spokesperson for Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 27 in Nanaimo, told NanaimoNewsNOW multiple resources were assigned to begin combing a large area.

“The boat was discovered by Neck Point, yesterday the search was focused on the area from Nanoose Bay, Winchelsea, and then south to Entrance Island and Gabriola Island.”

Air support from the Canadian Coast Guard was used and seen flying around north Nanaimo, including Piper’s Lagoon, Neck Point and other coastal areas. The search resumed Friday morning. (Ron Bell)

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Members from the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as marine resources from French Creek and Ladysmith were also on scene.

Air support was flown in from the Comox Valley and seen flying a search pattern just off the coast well into the evening.

Berg said they’re not sure the exact situation in terms of who they’re searching for.

“This response seems to indicate that [there was someone on board]…we don’t know how many, if any. But there’s good indication that there were, at one point people aboard.”

Efforts resumed Friday morning and is expected to include RCM-SAR members, along with Coast Guard and other agencies.

The Seabourn Quest cruise ship, which was docked in Nanaimo, appeared stop in the waters off north Nanaimo to assist in the operation late Thursday night.

As of 2:10 p.m. Friday, Berg said the search continues.

(Tami Mullaly)

(Tami Mullaly)

(Tami Mullaly)

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