Search on for missing B.C. boat

Two Canadian Coast Guard vessels and five aircraft are scouring a large area off Vancouver Island's west coast for a missing sports fishing boat with four people aboard.

The 19-foot aluminum boat left the Qualicum River Fishing Lodge at Winter Harbour early Monday with a fishing guide and three guests from the lodge aboard, officials said.

Search and rescue spokesman Gerry Pash said there were gale force winds overnight but no distress calls were received from the missing boat. 

The search could take the remainder of the week, Pash said, because the search area is so large. The search encompasses a 100-nautical-mile stretch between Quatsino and Nootka Sounds, and 35 nautical miles out to sea.