Naval member rescued off Vancouver Island after spending more than two hours in water
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
VICTORIA – A member of the Royal Canadian Navy spent more than two hours in the waters off Vancouver Island after falling overboard.
Maritime Forces Pacific says the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria was alerted to the person falling overboard from a rigid-hull inflatable boat at about 2:45 Monday afternoon.
The incident happened about a kilometre east of Bentinck Island, near the southern tip of Vancouver Island and about 40 kilometres southwest of Victoria.
Rescuers launched multiple vessels, helicopters and other aircraft from both Canada and the United States, and the member was rescued at around 5 p.m.
Maritime Forces Pacific Commander Rear-Admiral David Patchell says in a statement that rescuers encountered difficult conditions, including high winds, large swells and a lack of lighting.
The navy says the member was conducting sentry duties off the Bentinck Island range when they fell overboard, although no cause of the incident has been released.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2025.