The captain of a commercial fishing vessel is presumed drowned after the crab boat rolled over Thursday night near Kelsey Bay.
The search continues today for the missing 48-year-old Comox Valley skipper while the other man on board was able to safely swim ashore.
According to Sayward RCMP, the 28-foot aluminum vessel overturned at about 9 p.m. in Johnstone Strait.
The 32-year-old deckhand, also a Comox Valley resident, was wearing a personal flotation device and was able to swim to shore near Brazeau Bay where the 911 call was made. Police believe the skipper was not wearing a lifejacket when the accident occurred.
Authorities were alerted just after 10 p.m. Mounties, Coast Guard, ambulance, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and local citizens all took part in the search.
Despite their best efforts, the captain was not found. The search for him continues today. His name was not released.
