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- Aug 17 - 12 kayakers rescued by Canada and US crews
Aug 17 - 12 kayakers rescued by Canada and US crews
This week's top stories. Man pleads guilty in 2017 Oak Bay machete attack. One dead after Malahat crash.
Capital Daily Team
August 17, 2025
Good morning !
A man in Ucluelet had a scary—and admittedly, kind of funny—break-in at his home. The culprit? A black bear that squeezed through the doggy door, ate $500 worth of food, an ounce of weed, and appeared to lay around on his bed and couch. The man was on vacation, so the bear was long gone by the time he came home to find his house trashed.
That’s our third story today, available to Insiders only. I’m wondering if any readers have had a wild run-in with wildlife on our Island.
Have you ever had an unexpected wild animal visit your home, campsite, workplace, etc.? |
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
RCMP Shiprider assists US Coast Guard in
rescuing 12 kayakers
Kayaks are towed behind the RCMP Shiprider vessel as two families are taken to safety. Photo: RCMP
The Canada-US Shiprider program may have been designed for better border security, but on Thu. it was a lifeline for two families whose kayaking trip turned into a nightmare paddle.
The families had gone out for a guided overnight kayaking tour and were headed home when conditions became dicey.
“Realizing the conditions had surpassed their capabilities to safely continue the trip, they made the prudent decision to call for help before the situation worsened,” RCMP said in a release.
At 1:30pm, RCMP received a call that 12 kayakers, including six children, were in distress between Patos Island and Sucia Island, WA—6km east of Saturna Island.
The RCMP’s Shiprider team happened to be patrolling the area and responded immediately. Working alongside the US Coast Guard, the two teams pulled the kayakers onto their vessels.
All 12 kayakers were safely rescued and taken back to Orcas Island, with no injuries reported. However, the RCMP release notes, parties were “understandably shaken by the ordeal.”
“This incident highlights the great teamwork between the RCMP Shiprider and USCG Shiprider,” says RCMP Pacific Region inspector Jim Leonard.
“While rescue operations are not typically our primary role, our presence on the water allows us to respond when emergencies arise, reflecting our shared commitment to public safety.”
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Overnight work on Shelbourne street tonight: Closed from Pearl to Kings. 7pm-7am. [City of Vic]
Jutland closure at Gorge extended: BC Hydro’s work at the intersection has been extended until Aug. 21. [City of Vic]
New and notable adult fiction books at GV Public Libraries. [GVPL]
Temporary trail closure in former Royal Oak Golf Course lands continues as CRD crews replace a culvert. [CRD]
This week’s weather: Rain to clear up this week, but temperatures remain in the high teens.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
