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One boater still missing after man's body washes up on Gabriola

The boat made a mayday call off Hornby Island more than two weeks ago after setting out from Texada Island

One man remains missing after a boat made a mayday call off Hornby Island more than two weeks ago.

A body of the other person who was on the vessel was recovered on Oct. 22 after washing up on Gabriola Island.

Powell River RCMP say Mark Braunagel is still unaccounted for after the boat’s mayday call.

Texada Island RCMP determined that Braunagel was on Texada Oct. 15 to buy a boat, and hired an island resident to help him operate it.

The pair left on the boat that day.

Victoria’s Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre received the mayday call on Oct. 16 and was told the boat was taking on water south of Hornby Island.

A search-and-rescue team responded, along with RCMP Air Services and RCMP West Coast Marine Services.

A search was conducted of the shoreline and waters near the location of the mayday call, but no one was found and there was no evidence of the boat.

Braunagel’s son, Jake Whitcomb, posted a plea on Facebook for people to share any information they have that could help.

“Any debris, signs of a boat or signs one sunk, anything at all,” he said. “My family needs something.”

Contact Powell River RCMP at 604-485-6255.

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