A devastating incident off the coast of British Columbia has left six people presumed dead after a charter boat capsized and sank in the Strait of Georgia. The vessel, which departed from Steveston, was carrying 10 individuals when it began taking on water around midday on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Four survivors were pulled from the water by a passing yacht and subsequently taken to hospital. Two of these individuals remain in critical condition, while the other two have since been discharged. Authorities have confirmed that none of the passengers were reportedly wearing life-jackets, significantly reducing their chances of survival in the cold waters. The lack of a distress call from the charter boat before it sank so quickly has been described as "bizarre" by rescue officials, prompting a major crimes investigation by the RCMP.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) received a mayday call from a civilian vessel that had spotted people in the water. This call initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP, and BC Ferries. Despite extensive efforts, the search for the six missing individuals has been suspended and has transitioned to a recovery operation. The RCMP's underwater recovery team is preparing to search for the sunken vessel in waters estimated to be between 150 and 180 metres deep.
The cause of the sinking remains unknown, with investigators examining all possibilities, including a potential collision or other criminal activity. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Transport Canada have also been notified and are cooperating with the investigation. Experienced local charter captains have indicated that conditions in the area on Sunday were potentially unsafe, with strong winds and river outflows contributing to rough seas.
