5 dead, 1 missing after whale watching vessel sinks off Tofino, B.C.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre confirms that the MV Leviathan II, operated by Jamie's Whaling Station,had 27 people on board when it sank west of Vargas Island.
Of that total, 21 have been rescued, while one person remains missing.
JRCC says the search has been called off while the RCMP will assume responsibility for the person still unaccounted for.

• Jamie's Whaling Station also involved in 1998 fatal excursion

Meanwhile the company, in a Facebook post signed by owner Jamie Bray, says, "Our entire team is heartbroken over the incident and our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of everyone involved."
The statement goes onto say that the company is co-operating with authorities to find the cause of the accident, and it also thanks the multiple rescuers who helped at sea.

A statement from Jamie's Whaling Station on Facebook reacting to the fatal excursion. (Facebook)

​ The Canadian Coast Guard, local water taxi companies, the Ahousaht First Nation and other private vessels all helped in the search.
"Several members of Ahousaht First Nation bravely went out in their motor vessels in the waters near Tofino," Rob Bullock of the Ahousaht First Nation said in a release.

Weather moderate

"Weather conditions were moderate, with cloud, some wind and light rain. However the waters on the west side of Vargas Island can be unpredictable."
John Forde, who owns the Tofino Whale Centre and is a captain at the local fire department, was on a hot springs tour with customers when he heard about the MV Leviathan II.
He changed course to help with the search and said, upon arriving, that he saw the vessel all but submerged.
"It was quite close to the rocks and you could still see part of the vessel above water," he said. "There was a lot of injured and hypothermic people being brought in Ahousaht water taxis, at least a dozen boats out there if not more."