The RCMP and partner agencies are taking a measured approach to raising a sunken fishing charter near Richmond because the vessel is being treated as evidence in an ongoing investigation into the June 28 sinking that left six people presumed drowned.
Recovery complicated by depth, evidence concerns
Police said the charter now rests on the seafloor about 150 metres below the surface of the Strait of Georgia, which complicates any salvage operation. Officers cautioned that it is not yet clear whether any of the missing remain inside the hull.
In a statement Friday, the RCMP said witness accounts suggest more people than the four initially recovered were in the water when the boat went down. Ten people were aboard the vessel when it sank, and of those, four were pulled from the water; one of those rescued later died in hospital. The six still unaccounted for are presumed drowned.
"[RCMP and partner agencies are] actively assessing and pursuing available options and strategies to facilitate the safe and successful recovery of the vessel," the police statement said.
What is known so far
Details released to date by authorities and reporting by The Canadian Press include:
- Passengers on board: 10
- People rescued: 4 (one later died in hospital)
- Missing and presumed drowned: 6
- Depth of wreck: about 150 metres
- Ages of missing: reported between 22 and 33
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| On board | 10 |
| Rescued | 4 |
| Later died in hospital | 1 |
| Missing / presumed drowned | 6 |
| Wreck depth (approx.) | 150 m |
Regulatory action and vessel history
Transport Canada has ordered a second boat affiliated with Top Vancouver Fishing Charter to be detained, citing safety deficiencies and alleging a pleasure craft was being used as a commercial passenger vessel. The detention indicates regulators are scrutinizing safety practices tied to the charter operation.
The captain of the sunken vessel has been identified by family members to The Canadian Press as Chen Ming. His mother and girlfriend told reporters he had previously complained about a broken side door on the boat before it left on the fatal outing.
Search efforts and the role of technology
Earlier this month, search teams deployed an underwater drone that located the wreck on the seabed, although officers said no bodies were visible in the drone footage. The depth and condition of the wreck mean recovery will likely require specialised deep-water equipment and careful forensic procedures to preserve evidence and, where possible, recover remains for identification.
Local impact and next steps
The presumed loss of six people has reverberated through communities that use the region’s waters for recreation and commercial activities. Families of the missing are awaiting confirmation and the return of their loved ones, while investigators weigh technical, safety and legal considerations before attempting to raise the ship.
RCMP did not provide a timetable for recovery but said agencies are actively considering options that prioritise safety and the integrity of the investigation. Any salvage plan must balance the needs of search and rescue, forensic examination and the technical limits of deep-water recovery operations.
Practical information for the public
- Boaters in the area should follow notices issued by local authorities and marine traffic advisories.
- Anyone with information about the charter's last voyage or witness accounts is urged to contact Richmond RCMP.
- Family supports and victim services are typically made available in incidents of this scale; relatives should contact local police for resources.
As Mounties and partner agencies continue to plan a methodical recovery, the investigation remains active and fluid. Further updates are expected as authorities finalise a safe approach to raise the vessel and determine whether any additional victims remain inside.
Reporting for NEXO RADAR from Richmond.
