Search for missing B.C. fishermen continues

Search and rescue crews, along with an RCMP vessel, continue to search the waters off the tip of northwestern Vancouver Island for a missing boat last seen on Monday.

Crews have been combing the waters for the six-metre aluminum boat that was carrying three fishermen and a guide when it vanished after setting out from the Qualicum River Fishing Lodge.

Several fishing boats have also joined the search, and several military aircraft are also combing the massive search area.

"[I] think there's three boats out right now searching and stuff, but everyone is worried and upset," said Willy Knutson, who works at the lodge.

Judy Williams, who knows the area around the tiny outpost community of Winter Harbour, where the fishing lodge is located.

"All I can think of is four families are suffering so bad."

Williams knows the area, and said conditions on the open sea can get rough.

"It's pretty nasty. I wouldn't want to be in a smaller boat [than theirs], that's a minimum."

Search and rescue crews say they'll keep looking for the missing fishermen until they've exhausted all possibility of finding them.

At that point, police say, it will likely be declared a missing persons case.