The search for a Delta man who went missing during a canoe outing earlier this week has been called off after his boat was found empty and partially submerged in water.
Cory Fergus, 43, left a friend’s house in Tsawwassen Monday evening to check his crab traps in Boundary Bay.
No one has heard from the father-of-two since, and crews discovered his canoe floating vertically in U.S. waters off Point Roberts Wednesday afternoon.
The Joint Rescue Communications Centre cancelled its search shortly after, but Fergus’s desperate family is still holding out hope.
The mother of his children said Fergus is an experienced boater and a “wonderful dad,” but he also has type 1 diabetes and is known to slip into comas – which could help explain what happened.
“He’s very familiar with the water. He has gone out lots now,” Lori Fergus said. “I hope that maybe he had a low and someone can get there.”
Searchers found Fergus’ unoccupied vehicle near the boat ramp of Centennial Beach Tuesday.
A coast guard hovercraft, Canadian Forces aircraft and helicopter, as well as area search and rescue units scoured the waters overnight but found no sign of the canoer.
“I know it was windy Monday. I don’t know what the currents were like,” said Fergus’ friend Pete Gagnon. “I know the motor he had was probably underpowered for certain conditions.”
Gagnon said his friend enjoys crabbing and being out on the water. “Hopefully they find something,” he said. “Bring him home, one way or another, safe.”
Fergus is described as white, six foot, two inches tall with a medium build, blue eyes, light brown hair and a small goatee.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Delta police at 604-946-4411.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
