The search continues for a missing diver who didn't surface off Winchelsea Island last Friday. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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RCMP continue scouring Winchelsea Islands for missing recreational diver

Aug 18, 2021 | 2:09 PM

NANAIMO — The search remains active in the waters off Lantzville in hopes of finding a recreational diver who didn’t resurface last Friday morning.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Derek Balderston said their detachment has focused its search area in the Winchelsea Island area off Lantzville for the missing diver.

“We have a search vessel out on the water right now as well as a dive team,” Balderston said.

He said the search could evolve as new information comes to light.

“The search has been constant since the day of the report. We’ve been adjusting and applying various search techniques since the start.”

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Police described the missing diver as a south Asian man in his 40s equipped with a breathing tank and wet suit capable of surviving in the ocean for 36 hours.

Emergency responders weren’t alerted of the call until two hours after the diver went missing due to what police described as a language barrier.

The other man on the boat called to somebody on shore who he felt spoke better English, Mounties noted.

Balderston said police aren’t yet prepared to categorize the search as a recovery mission.

“We’re always holding out hope,” he said.

Dozens of military and search and rescue officials joined police in an exhaustive search for the missing last Friday and through the weekend.

Searches included a detailed presence on the shoreline.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP.

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