‘No opportunity for Mayday’ says Canada whale-watching operator

David Thomas, 50, and his 18-year-old son Stephen, from Swindon, Wiltshire, were also among the victims, alongside Jack Slater, 76.

Sheila Simpson said she was strolling on the dock with her husband when rescue boats roared up carrying survivors from the distressed vessel as well as a man’s body covered by a blanket.

More details are emerging from the capsizing of a whale watching boat off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The B.C. Coroners Service said the five people who died in the accident ranged in age from 18 to 76, and that four of them were men. He had three daughters who were brought up in Bolton.

Brown says she was notified about her father’s death “in the wee hours this morning”, and calls him “larger than life, a charmer, handsome, entrepreneur, engineer in the navy…and a lovely dad”.

“We were all delighted when Stephen’s lovely image Moraine Lake won the national My Perspective photographic competition a year ago”, the association said.

Carol Boys, chief of the Down’s Syndrome Association, said: “Stephen was a very talented young man and a gifted photographer”.

His family were big supporters of the Down’s Syndrome Association and active members of Swindon’s local Down’s Syndrome Group. “I’ve never seen, in my involvement with search and rescue, heard this happen before”. Julie was rescued and now the couple’s other son Paul, 22, is flying to be with her in hospital, where she is being treated for shock and minor injuries.

He said members of the Ahousaht community were “distraught” over the incident, adding: “Our prayers are with the families (of those who died)”.

Five people died and 21 were rescued, authorities said.

A former Microsoft colleague of Mr Thomas paid tribute to the “undoubted guru” of software, who always took time to support colleagues.

A statement was issued by Microsoft United Kingdom, where Mr Thomas worked.

The ship capsized in waters less than 10m deep, its bow remaining visible above water. “People here get together to help when things like this happen”. Clark said many more lives could have been lost if locals hadn’t reacted so quickly.

The two men who were first to arrive and help the passengers of a whale-watching boat that overturned off Tofino are talking about their rescue efforts.

Marc Andre Poisson, director of marine investigations for the safety board, told reporters Monday evening that the Leviathan II has been secured and that investigators plan to talk to the crew and passengers in coming days.

A few 10 people managed to scramble on board an inflatable raft, where one person launched an emergency flare, alerting local fishermen. He was on the waterfront and watched as rescuers pulled several survivors ashore.

“They lay there lifeless, they were exhausted and trying to catch their breath. We just make sure people are safe”. It sent a mayday call on what was a calm, clear and sunny day, according to The Associated Press.

The 65ft boat was operated by Jamie’s Whaling Station & Adventure Centres.

He told ABC News he found a first group of people huddled in a life raft before being directed towards people still in the water.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this awful accident”, Hammond said.

The fifth Briton has been named as 63-year-old Nigel Francis Hooker of Southampton.

Looking at the stricken boat in the freezing waters of the Clayoquot Sound, it is easy to imagine the horror of those on board.

“As I understand through the current regulations that’s not a requirement in the area that they were or on this vessel”. I like taking pictures of flowers, landscapes and people. “This is the largest boat in Tofino and I was really surprised that it went down”.