For the first time, Langley-based Legacy Water Search and Recovery was able to help find a 21-year-old drowning victim off Saturna Island using their side scan sonar equipment.
Legacy volunteers went to Saturna Island Dec. 17 to assist the RCMP in their attempts to search for the missing boater, said Legacy Society president Scott LeBus. It was the first time the fundraised equipment had been used to help find a drowning victim, he said.
Keenan Nicodemus, 21, and a friend were in a rowboat headed from Saturna Island to Mayne Island on Dec. 12 when it overturned. His friend was able to swim to shore but Nicodemus drowned.
The initial RCMP search could not find the body but on Dec. 17, his body was found near where the rowboat was recovered.
Legacy used the side scan sonar and ended up with a strong image before the search was called off because of bad weather.
That image and the GPS co-ordinates were shared with the RCMP, and their dive team was able to recover the drowning victim, said LeBus.
"While happy to have been able to assist with bringing Keenan home, we mourn the loss of this young man along with his family and friends," said Legacy volunteers.
Appreciation and thanks from residents in tight-knit Saturna Island have been pouring into Legacy's Facebook page.
Legacy is dedicated to helping families find and bring home drowning victims.
The Society formed after Langley best friends Brendan Wilson and Austin Kingsborough drowned while out on a canoe trip from the Wilson family cabin onto Nicola Lake, April 21, 2013.
The RCMP dive team searched for the boys for five agonizing days before calling it off. On that day, Lebus — a family friend and co-founder of the society — contacted Gene Ralston, a man based out of Idaho who volunteers to recover drowning victims using side sonar equipment. He has recovered more than 86 souls. On May 6, within 20 minutes, Ralston and his wife discovered both bodies 75 feet from the water's edge and the Wilson cabin.
Never wanting another family to go through the waiting and not knowing they went through, the society formed. They have been fundraising, holding golf tournaments and a dance to purchase the expensive sonar equipment.
They also provide emotional support to the families.
The volunteer group just received a $7,000 donation from Langley Good Times Cruise-In Society. Legacy was one of the car show's chosen charities.
Among the board directors are Brendan's dad and uncle.
To learn more about Legacy Water Search and Recovery go to leagacywatersearch.com