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B.C. ferry delayed for marine rescue

NANAIMO - Mariners’ call for help delays Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry service.

The B.C. Ferry MV Coastal Inspiration is running about one hour behind schedule this morning after the ship responded to a distress call.

The ferry was en route between Tsawwassen and Duke Point when it received a request from the Canadian Coast Guard to render assistance to a pleasure craft with two people on board that was taking on water near Valdes Island.

Capt. Dave Bowes at the Canadian Coast Guard Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre Victoria said the 11-metre power boat had struck something in the water and its two occupants had evacuated the craft for their dinghy.

The Coastal Inspiration was among several craft that responded to the distress call and had launched its rigid hull inflatable to retrieve the people in the dinghy.

A Coast Guard vessel from Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, arrived and was assisting with towing the craft into port.

“The actual incident proved fairly minor … and they’re very close to Maple Bay, so it became a non-event,” Bowes said.

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Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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