The Canadian Coast Guard's hovercraft 'Moytel' happened to be in the Nanaimo area doing training exercises when its crews were dispatched to rescue a fallen kayaker on Monday, March 9. Photo from Feb. 14. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

stable condition

Right place, right time: Coast Guard rescues overturned Nanaimo kayaker 

Mar 10, 2026 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — A fast response from out-of-town regional coast guard crews scooped a fallen kayaker from the frigid ocean. 

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) Station 27 media liaison officer Russell Berg said their volunteer-run organization was alerted of a person in the ocean east of Protection Island and Saysutshun on Monday, March 9 at 3 p.m.  

Luckily, a crew aboard a Vancouver-area Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft happened to be nearby and promptly responded, according to Berg.

“By the time we got to the scene, the Moytel had picked up the person,” Berg said. 

RCM-SAR Station 27 media liaison officer Russell Berg. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Right place, right time: Coast Guard rescues overturned Nanaimo kayaker

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The kayaker was then taken to Nanaimo’s harbour. 

BC Emergency Health Services told NanaimoNewsNOW paramedics provided treatment on Nanaimo’s waterfront, then transported the patient to hospital in stable condition.  

While Berg noted the kayaker was overturned in the open ocean, it wasn’t too far offshore east of the two islands. 

Berg said highly trained Canadian Coast Guard personnel, equipped with advanced First Aid, occasionally conduct training exercises in the Nanaimo area.  

“They just happened to be somewhere in the vicinity, near Gabriola, I believe, with the Cape Cockburn, which is another coast guard vessel based out of French Creek.” 

Berg said thankfully, numerous resources were nearby in Nanaimo’s busy harbour offering assistance, including a tugboat. 

“The air temperature was not high, and the water is the water. If you’re not found in an hour or two it’s not great news.” 

Berg wasn’t aware how well protected the kayaker was from the elements, or if a life preserver was worn. 

It’s also unclear how long the kayaker was in the ocean. 

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