The son of a missing boater is seeking information. Jake Whitcomb, from Nanaimo, in a Facebook post, stated that his father, Mark Braunagel, is missing after last being seen boarding a boat from Texada Island on October 15, bound for French Creek on Vancouver Island with his dog and another man, who has been found deceased off Gabriola Island.
“We’re told he [Braunagel] left in the afternoon or evening on October 15 from the Texada Island marina,” said Whitcomb in an interview with the Peak. “He’s from Port Alberni and he just came over to Texada to pick up this boat that was new to him.”
In the Facebook post, Whitcomb stated that his family has been told that a mayday call was sent out in the early morning of October 16, south of Hornby Island.
“Nobody has seen or heard from him [Braunagel] since,” stated Whitcomb. “If you have heard anything, know anybody who lives on the island or surrounding islands, please share this post.”
Whitcomb stated he is hoping that any debris found, signs of a boat or signs of one sunk – anything at all – can be reported to him. There are people out on the water and people on the beaches that can help Whitcomb find answers, he added.
“My family needs something,” stated Whitcomb. “Even the smallest thing, even if people are not sure it’s connected, we want to know about it. Just reach out because we don’t have a lot of information right now.”
Whitcomb said if anyone has information, they can message him on Facebook, or send email to [email protected]. When asked if there was any search for his father ongoing, Whitcomb said as far as he knows, there is still a search going on.
“We haven’t been filled in with the extent, such as which vessels are being used, or where the search parameter is,” said Whitcomb. “We don’t have a lot of that information but what we know is the origin point they are working out from is south of Hornby Island.”
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