Investigators are trying to unravel the mystery of what caused a whale watching boat with 27 people on board to capsize off Vancouver Island in seemingly calm weather, killing five British nationals and leaving an Australian man missing.
The company's director of operations, Corene Inouye, said the crew shot flares from the water which attracted the attention of local aboriginal fishermen who rushed to help rescue 21 people.
Valerie Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, said late Monday that four of the survivors remained in hospitals in British Columbia and were all in stable condition.
Fisherman Clarence Smith said he was reeling his lines for halibut when his friend saw a flare shoot in the sky.
Jamie Bray, the owner of Jamie's Whaling Station, said the boat sank in an area it goes to every day.