Miracle at sea as Westport fishermen are found alive on a life raft in British Columbia, more than two weeks after he went missing – as the search continues for a second crew member

One of two fishermen who went missing at sea off the coast of Washington was found alive on a life raft in the Pacific Ocean two weeks after he went missing.

The unidentified fisherman was rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel 70 miles off Cape Flattery, in the northwest corner of Washington and west of Vancouver.

He was taken to shore by the Canadian Coast Guard and was in stable condition, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest.

According to the Coast Guard, a 45-foot boat named Evening left Westport, Washington on October 12 with two people on board and was scheduled to return on October 15.

He was taken to shore by the Canadian Coast Guard and was listed in stable condition, according to the USCG Pacific Northwest

According to the Coast Guard, a 45-foot boat named Evening left Westport, Washington on October 12 with two people on board and was scheduled to return on October 15.

The Coast Guard was notified of the missing boat this week. Officials launched an extensive search, covering a 14,000-square-mile area along the coastline for eight hours to find them.

Eventually they were forced to suspend the search, but a Canadian crew found him floating on a raft.

Ryan Planes and his uncle John, from Sooke, British Columbia, were out early with friends on a fishing excursion when they spotted the raft floating in the distance.

He told KING TV Seattle: ‘I saw what looked like a life raft in the distance and I ran in and put the binoculars on him and he shot off a flare.

‘We pulled him on board. He gave me a big hug and it was emotional.” They quickly contacted the Canadian Coast Guard.

John told officials the man spent 13 days alone on the raft and survived by eating salmon.

He told the publication: “We made him breakfast. He drank three bottles of water. He was quite hungry, poor fellow.’

The Canadian crew never intended to go that far out to sea to catch, but John decided to visit a hot spot to try his luck.

Ryan Planes and his uncle John, from Sooke, British Columbia, were out early with friends on a fishing excursion when they spotted the raft floating in the distance.

John told officials the man spent 13 days alone on the raft and survived by eating salmon

Ryan said: ‘I saw what looked like a life raft in the distance and ran in and put the binoculars on him and he shot off a flare.’

‘We pulled him on board. He gave me a big hug and it was emotional,” Ryan continued

His daughter Rosie Planes wrote further Facebook: ‘This morning my father and his crew spotted a shipwrecked sailor floating around in a small raft about 35 miles off the coast of Tofino.

“It turns out he is a tuna fisherman and has been missing in Washington State since bad weather hit on Friday, October 13th. The Coast Guard suspended the search on October 20.

‘My father wanted to go back to dry land yesterday, but instead decided to ‘try his luck’ and go to a ‘hot spot’ he knows well. It was there, at the bow of the boat, that he met his eyes with an unfamiliar sight that no one on board would soon forget.

‘I really believe my father was called upon. He had a divine appointment and that saved this man!

“I can’t imagine the heavy emotion and pure joy in his heart. The frequency bursting through this moment and the entire crew on board ~ it gives me an intense feeling just thinking about it.

‘Today I reflect on gratitude: for life, love and hope!’

The reason for the boat’s disappearance has not yet been determined.

U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Magee said: ‘The cause of the incident in which the missing vessel and the person on board the life raft were recovered is currently under investigation.

‘A life raft can greatly increase your chances of survival.’

The USCG Pacific confirmed that the second fisherman remains missing and all searches have been suspended.