Six Missing After B.C. Charter Boat Sinks Off Richmond

In a recent CBC News report, rescue crews are shown pulling survivors from the Strait of Georgia after a charter fishing boat sank off Richmond, B.C. on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Six people remain missing and are presumed drowned while four others were rescued from the frigid waters, and the tragedy has raised urgent questions about safety standards in British Columbia's charter fishing industry.

Six Missing, Four Rescued After Charter Fishing Boat Sinks Off Richmond, B.C.

Richmond, British Columbia – This week — Footage of the dramatic rescue appears in a CBC News YouTube video posted this week showing Canadian Coast Guard crews pulling survivors from the Strait of Georgia. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, around noon, the 30-foot commercial charter fishing boat operated by Top Fishing, known in Chinese as Haishang, sank in waters off Richmond and Roberts Bank, B.C., with ten people aboard. Six passengers, four men and two women, remain missing and are presumed drowned in 150 to 180 metre depths, while four others were rescued suffering from hypothermia after none wore life jackets. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria suspended active search operations at 9:45 PM PT that same Sunday.

Details of the Sinking Incident

The vessel went down in the Strait of Georgia near Roberts Bank on Sunday, June 28, 2026, during a charter fishing trip organised by the Richmond-based Top Fishing company. Ten individuals were listed on the manifest, and the four survivors reached shore with immediate medical attention for hypothermia after spending time in the cold Pacific waters. Royal Canadian Mounted Police divers have since deployed underwater drones to locate the wreckage in the deep channel, while the Transportation Safety Board of Canada opened a formal investigation into the cause.

Transport Canada maintains oversight of commercial charter operations under the Canada Shipping Act, requiring all vessels to carry sufficient life-saving equipment and conduct safety drills. In this case, the absence of life jackets on any of the ten people has drawn immediate scrutiny from marine safety regulators in British Columbia coastal communities. The incident highlights ongoing challenges for small operators navigating busy shipping lanes near the Port of Vancouver.

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted a message of condolence on social media within hours of the sinking, acknowledging the loss felt across Richmond and surrounding B.C. communities. Federal authorities have not yet released the names of the missing individuals, citing next-of-kin notification procedures still underway as of this week.

Background on Captain Chen Ming

Chen Ming, aged 23, served as captain of the Top Fishing vessel and was identified publicly by his mother Ashley Lin and girlfriend Hailey Lee during interviews conducted on July 3 and 4, 2026. Chen immigrated from China two years earlier and resided in Richmond, where he supported his family financially following his parents' divorce in 2011 by holding multiple jobs before obtaining his captain role. He had planned a September trip to Taiwan to meet Hailey Lee's parents and discuss marriage.

Ashley Lin stated she remains uncertain whether Chen held a valid Canadian captain's licence at the time of the voyage, raising questions about Transport Canada certification requirements for charter operators. Chen had previously expressed concerns to his mother about vessel maintenance, including a broken side door that he believed compromised safety standards on the 30-foot boat.

Richmond community members described Chen as a dedicated young mariner who took pride in guiding fishing charters through the Strait of Georgia. His immigration journey and work ethic reflect patterns seen among many newcomers employed in B.C.'s marine tourism sector under federal labour mobility programs.

Reported Problems with Vessel Condition

On Friday, June 26, 2026, Hailey Lee was aboard the same Top Fishing vessel when waves forced the broken side door open, allowing water to flood the deck. Two passengers bailed water manually until the situation was controlled, an event Chen later recounted to his mother as evidence of ongoing maintenance failures. The charter company owner has issued no public statement since the sinking, and a staff member who answered the company phone on July 3 stated they knew nothing before ending the call.

Ashley Lin confirmed she received no condolences or outreach from the operator in the days following the loss of her son. Marine safety advocates in British Columbia have pointed to this lack of communication as contrary to expected industry practices under Transport Canada guidelines for incident response.

The repeated issues with the side door illustrate potential gaps in pre-departure inspections required for commercial fishing charters operating out of Richmond harbours. Federal regulators are now reviewing whether the vessel met all equipment standards before departing on June 28.

Rescue Operations and Immediate Response

Canadian Coast Guard crews responded rapidly after the distress call on Sunday, June 28, 2026, rescuing four survivors who were transported to hospital. Two men and one woman remained admitted for hypothermia treatment, while one man was released the following day. Passengers aboard the Queen of Alberni ferry observed the rescue unfolding and witnessed survivors in an inflatable dinghy alongside Coast Guard personnel.

Richmond resident Dorothy Stauffer captured photographs of the survivors in the dinghy that circulated widely among local media outlets this week. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria coordinated the multi-agency effort before suspending surface searches at 9:45 PM PT, citing diminishing prospects in the deep waters of the Strait of Georgia.

RCMP marine units continue to support the Transportation Safety Board investigation with underwater drone surveys near Roberts Bank. This coordinated response follows established protocols involving federal agencies responsible for search and rescue in British Columbia coastal waters.

Family Statements and Emotional Impact

During a joint interview conducted in Mandarin on July 3 and 4, 2026, Ashley Lin and Hailey Lee expressed profound grief over Chen Ming's disappearance. Ashley Lin stated, "I feel I am a very useless mother, that I can't find my son... The ocean is so deep. Does my baby feel cold?" Hailey Lee added, "He always used to tell me, being a captain, he should take care of everyone on the boat... Now I live in pain every day."

Ashley Lin directed a direct appeal to the charter company owner, saying, "You can't let my son leave the world with so much regret." The family emphasised Chen's sense of responsibility toward his passengers and his plans for a future in Canada after immigrating two years ago.

Support services in Richmond have been offered to the affected families through local community organisations, reflecting the multicultural nature of B.C.'s coastal workforce. The interview underscores the personal toll on families connected to the charter fishing industry.

Ongoing Investigations and Regulatory Scrutiny

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched a full investigation into the sinking, examining factors including vessel maintenance records and licensing compliance for the Top Fishing operation. RCMP underwater drones are mapping the wreck site in 150 to 180 metre depths off Roberts Bank to recover evidence and locate the missing individuals.

Transport Canada officials are reviewing whether the charter met federal marine safety regulations, particularly requirements for life jackets and watertight integrity on vessels operating in the Strait of Georgia. This review occurs amid broader federal efforts to strengthen oversight of small commercial operators in British Columbia.

Parliamentary committees in Ottawa have previously examined marine safety gaps, and this incident may prompt renewed discussion on enforcement resources allocated to west coast ports. The Transportation Safety Board is expected to issue preliminary findings within weeks.

Implications for B.C. Charter Fishing Industry

The sinking has prompted calls from British Columbia coastal communities for enhanced safety training and equipment standards across the charter fishing sector. Operators in Richmond and neighbouring ports now face increased scrutiny from Transport Canada inspectors regarding vessel condition and crew certification.

Industry representatives note that many small charter businesses rely on immigrant captains like Chen Ming, who balance multiple roles to support families. The tragedy highlights the need for clearer pathways to proper licensing under federal maritime regulations.

Local tourism officials in Richmond are monitoring potential impacts on bookings this summer season, while safety advocates urge all operators to prioritise life jacket use and regular maintenance. Federal funding for marine search and rescue in the region may also come under review following the suspension of operations on June 28.