A large rescue operation was conducted off the northern coast of Gabriola Island early Tuesday morning, involving flares, multiple agencies and air support. (Image Credit: Difficult-Rough9914/Reddit)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

rescue attempt

Large search launched after person goes missing aboard Nanaimo-bound ferry

Feb 10, 2026 | 2:25 PM

NANAIMO — A man remains missing after apparently boarding a BC Ferries vessel in Tsawwassen, but not arriving at Duke Point.

Police in Nanaimo are assuming control of the investigation after the adult male failed to collect their vehicle, nor were they seen leaving the vessel as it arrived at Duke Point in Nanaimo, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said the person left their home on Monday, Feb. 9 and haven’t been seen since, prompting them to begin a missing persons investigation.

“That investigation led us to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, where it’s believed a person who matched the description of the person who was missing may have entered the water as the ferry was underway.”

BC Ferries said a “police incident” at the Tsawwassen ferry around 11 p.m. delayed the 10:45 p.m. sailing to Duke Point Monday evening, which O’Brien said was related to the search for the missing person. The sailing resumed around 12:55 a.m. early Tuesday morning.

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It’s unclear when the person may have “entered the water”, although a considerable search effort was launched around 1 a.m.

A number of agencies, including the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Gabriola Island RCMP, Nanaimo RCMP, RCMP West Coast Marine Services, and Nanaimo Search and Rescue were involved in the multi-hour effort.

Delta police are also involved on the file, according to O’Brien.

A military plane from CFB Comox flew over the scene for around four hours on Tuesday morning. (Image Credit: FlightRadar24)

A plane from CFB Comox provided aerial support, searching the area for around four hours beginning just before 1:30 a.m.

Flares were also clearly visible from the shore.

“That was the ongoing search, the flare was used to light up the sky and allow people to have a good viewpoint of the water,” O’Brien added.

No details on the missing individual are being released, with O’Brien citing a “privacy issue”.

He added the family of the missing person has been notified.

NanaimoNewsNOW has contacted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre on the current status of any search efforts.

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