RCMP weighing careful recovery of sunken charter boat near Richmond

RCMP say any recovery of a fishing charter that sank near Richmond must be carried out carefully because the vessel is evidence in an ongoing investigation. The boat rests on the floor of the Strait of Georgia about 150 metres below the surface, and police do not know whether victims remain inside.

Ten people were aboard when the vessel sank on June 28. Four were rescued, although one later died in hospital. Witness accounts suggest more people were in the water than the four who were recovered, and six people are presumed drowned. The missing people were between 22 and 33 years old.

RCMP said it and partner agencies are assessing options to safely recover the vessel. An underwater drone located it earlier this month, but police said no bodies were seen.

Transport Canada detained another vessel operated by Top Vancouver Fishing Charter after the sinking, citing safety deficiencies and alleged violations, including operation of a pleasure craft as a commercial passenger vessel. The mother and girlfriend of captain Chen Ming said he had complained about a broken side door before the sinking.