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B.C. Ferries retrieves paddlers after kayak overturns

B.C. Ferries staff rescued two people after their kayak overturned in Nanaimo’s Departure Bay on Tuesday. The 4 p.m.
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Crew on the Coastal Renaissance spotted two kayakers in the water on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019.

B.C. Ferries staff rescued two people after their kayak overturned in Nanaimo’s Departure Bay on Tuesday.

The 4 p.m. sailing to Horseshoe Bay was about to depart when crew members on the Coastal Renaissance spotted an overturned double kayak and two people in the water.

Terminal staff launched a small boat to retrieved the kayakers and their kayak.

B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said neither of the kayakers required medical attention. Both people were wearing life-jackets.

The Coastal Renaissance was delayed by about 20 minutes.

Marshall said the company was “very proud” of how staff handled themselves.

“The ship and shore worked really well together to get to these people as soon as possible,” she said.

B.C. Ferries was involved in 15 rescues at sea last year.