Community Alert: Six Missing After Charter Boat Sinks Near Richmond, BC

Six people who were on a commercial charter vessel that sank near Richmond, British Columbia remain missing and are presumed drowned. The incident occurred yesterday, and despite a major coordinated search effort, four men and two women have not been located.

The active search phase has now ended, and authorities have transitioned to a recovery operation. The vessel is believed to have gone down in very deep water, and specialized RCMP units are preparing to examine the site as part of the ongoing investigation into what caused the sinking and to formally confirm the identities of those missing.

Official Incident Details

According to RCMP file 2026-20338, the following details have been released about the marine incident near Richmond, BC:

• A commercial charter vessel sank in the waters near Richmond on the day prior to this alert.
• Six occupants of the vessel – identified only as four men and two women – are still missing and are currently presumed to have drowned.
• Extensive search efforts were conducted involving multiple agencies; these search operations have now been suspended.
• The operation has shifted from search and rescue to a recovery-focused mission.
• The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT) has been tasked to attend the area in the coming days.
• URT will use sonar to locate the capsized vessel on the seafloor and then evaluate whether it is safe and feasible to conduct diving operations.
• If diving is not possible due to depth or conditions, alternate tools such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), also referred to as an underwater drone, may be deployed.
• The vessel is believed to be resting in very deep water, which adds complexity and risk to recovery efforts.
• The investigation remains active to determine the cause of the sinking and to formally verify the identities of the six missing people.
• Authorities are working to notify next of kin for those involved.
• A 26-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman who were also aboard have been treated and discharged from hospital.
• A 33-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman remain in hospital in critical condition.
• RCMP are coordinating closely with Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, and other partner agencies to support the investigation and plan next operational steps.
• Police have indicated that there are currently no further public details available at this time.

This tragedy highlights the importance of understanding marine safety risks along the British Columbia coast, including in remote or sparsely populated regions such as Refuge Cove 6, British Columbia — Crime Statistics & Safety Data, where access to emergency resources can be limited and response conditions can be challenging.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident is a sobering reminder that community safety in British Columbia includes not only crime prevention, but also vigilance around marine and recreational activities. Deep coastal waters, unpredictable weather, and busy waterways near communities like Richmond can quickly turn a routine outing into a life-threatening emergency when something goes wrong.

While the cause of this sinking is still under investigation, we encourage residents and visitors across coastal BC to take extra care when planning any trip on the water. This includes checking vessel condition and safety equipment, monitoring weather and marine forecasts, ensuring lifejackets are worn correctly, sharing float plans with someone on shore, and knowing how to call for help in an emergency. Our broader safety data work across regions like Finlay River 6, British Columbia — Crime Statistics & Safety Data shows that preparedness and early action can significantly reduce risk in remote or challenging environments. CrimeCanada.ca will continue to monitor official updates on this case and share relevant safety learnings with the community as more information becomes available.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the british-columbia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.