The Tofino RCMP recently rescued a man who had fallen out of his canoe.
The man was drifting in the ocean without a lifejacket and grasping onto the canoe when he called police on July 4 around 2:25 a.m., according to Cpl. Therese Cochlin.
“Constable Bullock and Constable Truong were on duty in Tofino and immediately responded to the call in the RCMP vessel,†Cochlin told the Westerly News.
The two officers located the man and pulled him to safety onboard their police vessel.
“He was not wearing a life jacket at the time and was cold, but otherwise not injured,†Cochlin said. “A six pack of beer was observed floating away from his canoe when police arrived.â€
She said Coast Guard personnel helped transport the man and his canoe back to Tofino.
Police are urging all boaters to be prepared, and cautious, on the water.
“Boaters are reminded that they are required to carry the mandatory safety equipment for their vessel, including a lifejacket or personal floatation device for each person onboard,†Cochlin said.
“The other obvious message is not to mix alcohol and boating as the likelihood of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved.â€
Andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca