Tla-o-qui-aht fisherman Marcel Martin is being remembered by his family today, after his remains were found off of Echachist Island on July 15.
According to elected Chief Moses Martin, his grandson’s remains were found floating in a kelp bed by a kayaker. Other personal belongings including a wallet and clothing were found on the beach.
“That is how we were able to make an early identification,” said Chief Martin.
Marcel Martin was out in his open aluminum boat with four others in the early morning hours of June 15 when the boat accident occurred that left of the vessel’s occupants missing since. One man was rescued from the water just south of Felice Island near Tofino shortly before 4 a.m. A second man made it to shore near Duffin Cove and was rescued from the rocks. Three Tla-o-qui-aht men were missing; brothers Marcel Martin and Carl Michael along with their relative Terrance Brown Jr.
Details about how the accident happened are not known.
Chief Martin said that all three men are his grandsons. The search continues for the other two men.
“There’s lots of kayakers out there and fishing guides and lots of people walking the beach this time of year; they are keeping their eyes open for anything unusual,” he said. “Just a few days ago a shirt was found on Tonquin Beach.”
It is believed that the shirt belonged to one of the missing men.
Marcel Martin leaves behind a wife and three children. There will be no funeral services; instead the Martin family are getting together for a luncheon today.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the support of the wives and children of the three Tla-o-qui-aht men who disappeared on June 15. You may donate by going to https://ca.gofundme.com/providing-for-the-children
