Police say the six people missing after a charter boat sank off the coast of Richmond are now presumed dead.
Four men and two women remain unaccounted for Monday afternoon, more than a day after the vessel sank near Roberts Bank on Sunday (June 28). Police say they are presumed to have drowned.
Richmond RCMP now say the search has been suspended and search efforts have now shifted to recovery.
It’s believed the boat sank in very deep waters, police say.
The RCMP’s underwater recovery team will be going to the area in the coming days to located the capsized vessel using sonar. Depending on an assessment of the conditions, the team will determine whether a dive operation is feasible or if alternate resources, such as a remotely operated vehicle may be required.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the sinking and to confirm the identities of the six missing individuals. Police say work to notify next of kin is underway.
Ten people were on board the vessel near Roberts Bank Sunday morning when it began taking on water, police said.
Four people were rescued, but the remaining six were reported missing.
A marine search-and-rescue operation was launched by Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria. The search involved RCMP, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and BC Ferries.
The Department of National Defence, which oversees the coast guard, said in a statement to Black Press Media that by 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, the four rescued had been taken to Sea Island Coast Guard Station and transferred to emergency health services.
The search continued for the six, but was called off at 9:45 p.m.
Of the four people rescued, a 26-year-old man and 33-year-old woman have been discharged from hospital. A 33-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman remain in critical condition in hospital.
Police are working with Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board and other partner agencies in the investigation and on next steps.