Ahousaht First Nation members raced to rescue six distressed mariners about two kilometres from Tofino early Friday morning.

A vessel crashed into rocks near Meares Island around 12:11 a.m., leaving the six people onboard stranded, according to Canadian Coast Guard Officer John Millman.

“Six boats from Ahousaht went out and responded so there was quite a big response,” he told the Westerly.

“We didn’t task them, they actually responded on their own. The vessel had called out to Ahousaht directly and Ahousaht put out a broadcast for their own guys.”

He said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria dispatched Tofino’s Lifeboat to the scene to assist. Three of the mariners were injured in the crash and were taken to Tofino where they were received by Emergency Health Services at 1:34 a.m., according to Millman.

Everyone onboard was saved, though Millman suggested early reports indicate at least one of the injured mariners suffered fractured ribs.