Ferry crews and passengers searched the sea Monday evening after a report that someone had gone overboard on Queen of Cowichan.
A passenger went overboard at about 5:45 p.m., halfway through the voyage from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, said spokesperson Deborah Marshall.
Both Queen of Cowichan and Queen of Oak Bay launched rescue boats before the coast guard took over the search.
“They were not able to find a person in the water,” Marshall said. “They stood us down at 7 p.m.”
Queen of Cowichan had left Horseshoe Bay about 5 p.m.
Passengers were asked to move to the upper deck and assist in a visual search of the water.
One passenger on Queen of Oak Bay, Vienna Lum, said people “started out hopeful” but after an hour and with the descending darkness, the mood had turned “grim.”
She said at least two vessels from the Canadian Coast Guard were came to the scene and the ferry was shining lights on the water, but vision was very limited.
Sailings on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route were delayed because of the search.
For schedule updates, visit www.bcferries.com.
— With Vancouver Sun
