The Gibsons Coast Guard Auxiliary responded to a code 3 (life threatening) call for help Wednesday at about 4:50 p.m. from a vessel adrift in waters off Gibsons Harbour.
"Four of us went out in search of a 56-foot fishing vessel called the Velma C. We had some difficulty finding it because the engine had shut down and it was drifting. We did end up locating it off Halibut Banks," said Gord Cudlipp, Gibsons Coast Guard unit leader.
Coast guard members boarded the vessel to find a man lying unconscious in the cabin.
"It looked like he had been unconscious for some time. Sidney Clare, our paramedic, and another crew member started giving him oxygen and first aid. In the meantime two other Coast Guard vessels showed up - a hovercraft and the Osprey from Kitsilano," Cudlipp said.
The injured man was transferred to a hovercraft, rushed to shore and taken to St. Mary's Hospital by ambulance.
"At first we suspected he had a heart attack, but later we realized it was probably food poisoning," he said.
He noted the man was released from hospital later that evening and Cudlipp presumed the ill man was doing well when Cudlipp spoke with Coast Reporter Thursday morning.
"We feel pretty good. It's always good when a vessel is recovered and everyone's okay," he added.
