National Center for Cold Water Safety's Post

A Very Close Call in British Columbia

A kayaker from Comox Valley, BC was rescued around 3am on Monday, March 9th after spending over 9 hours stranded on a near-shore nautical structure – known as a dolphin - in the Strait of Georgia.  

He said his Pelican Mission 100 kayak broke apart around 5pm but that he was able to climb onto the dolphin where he was eventually rescued.   The bottom seam of the kayak reportedly failed and flooded the cockpit.  He was paddling between Royston and Comox – a roughly 1.75 mile (2.8K) one-way trip and he was close to the Comox harbor when the accident occurred.  

Sunset on Sunday, March 8th was around 7pm, followed by an hour of diminishing light, so he spent roughly 7 hours in darkness with no way to call or signal. Homeowners on shore finally heard him yelling for help and called authorities.

Royal Canadian Search and Rescue Station 60 said he was wearing a PFD but no wetsuit or drysuit. It's not known if any safety gear he might have carried was lost with his kayak.  The Oak Bay News reported that the paddler was cold but appeared to be in good spirits as he walked with volunteers from the rescue boat towards an awaiting ambulance that transported him to hospital.

Water temperature in that part of Georgia Strait is estimated to have been 45F (7C). The National Center for Cold Water Safety recommends wearing a PFD and thermal protection like a wetsuit or drysuit and carrying strobes or flashlights as well as communications gear on your person.

The rescue included two vessels and eight members of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue - Station 60 Comox. along with assistance from the RCMP and Courtenay and Comox Fire Department.