British Columbia

Sunshine Coast RCMP find missing Sechelt man's kayak

RCMP on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast are asking the public to help them find a lone kayaker who went missing in the Roberts Creek area Monday.

Jesse Farrand, 48, was last seen taking his blue kayak into water at Roberts Creek pier

Jesse Farrand, 48, was last seen Aug. 19, 2019 when he took his kayak into the water near Roberts Creek on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast. (Sunshine Coast RCMP)

RCMP on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast say they have found the blue kayak belonging to a missing man who was last seen nearly a week ago in the Roberts Creek area. 

Jesse Farrand, 48, was last seen between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Aug. 19, taking his kayak into the water at the bottom of Roberts Creek Road, about 10 kilometres east of Sechelt.

Guests staying at an Airbnb near Powell River noticed the kayak on the beach on Thursday, but thought it had maybe fallen off a boat, RCMP said. 

After they saw news coverage about the missing kayaker, they contacted RCMP, police said. 

RCMP said they are "fairly confident" the kayak, which was found without a paddle, belonged to Farrand, who is still missing. 

RCMP say these two kayaks, one which turned up on a beach near Powell River belonged to Jesse Farrand. (Sunshine Coast RCMP)

Search and rescue organizations and a police helicopter are currently looking for Farrand, police said. RCMP are asking anyone with information or who may have seen the blue kayak or Farrand to contact them. 

Last week RCMP said Farrand had parked his older model blue Dodge 3500 truck at the Roberts Creek beach parking lot.

There were two kayaks attached. Farrand took one and has not been seen since, but his truck remains.