The company that operated the vessel that sunk off the B.C. coast in poor weather conditions on June 28 actually had two boats on the water that day, according to the distraught mother of the missing captain who is searching for answers.

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Richmond resident Ashley Lin, whose son Chen Ming is among six people presumed drowned, told Postmedia News on Wednesday that she had spoken to the owner of the company on the day the vessel sank and the day after, but not since.

B.C. charter boat company had two vessels out in poor weather conditions at time of deadly sinking Back to video

Lin said he told her that the company’s two boats had gone out, one after another, and weren’t more than five minutes apart from each other. The owner was on the second boat with clients and Lin said he told her he lost sight of the vessel that sank.

“What I understand, and I don’t know if it is accurate or not, but what I understand is that, they were following behind it,” said Lin.

Lin, who waited along Steveston Harbour for her son to return that night, said her son loved fishing and started going out with the company, Top Vancouver Fishing Charter, as a guest on their trips. Over time, he started taking on different jobs on the boat.

“He went a few times to play,” said Lin. “And then, he started going with them, and they said, ‘You can come and fish and you don’t have to pay, but you can help out a bit.’ ”

Her comments came as Richmond RCMP announced Wednesday that the sunken vessel had been located with the help of an underwater drone. Police also confirmed that one of four people who had been rescued had died.

The 2017 Kingfisher boat went down near Roberts Bank. It went by the name “Top Ocean,” according to the RCMP.

On board were 10 people — the vessel operator and an assistant, plus eight passengers. Four people were rescued, while six remain unaccounted for and are presumed drowned.

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Those rescued included a 26-year-old man from Richmond, a 33-year-old woman from Toronto and a 33-year-old man from Redmond, Wash.

A 28-year-old woman, identified as a Chinese citizen who had been living in Seattle, was also rescued but has since died in hospital, police said.

They said those who remain missing include:

• A 33-year-old man from Toronto

• A 31-year-old woman from Redmond, Wash.

• A 31-year-old man, a Chinese citizen residing in Seattle

• A 29-year-old woman from West Vancouver

• A 32-year-old man from West Vancouver

• The vessel operator, a 22-year-old man from Richmond

The police didn’t release any names but Lin identified the vessel operator as her son, Chen Ming.

Postmedia has made multiple attempts to get comment from the owner of Top Vancouver Fishing.

Another charter company previously told Postmedia it cancelled its outings that day due to poor conditions, while a B.C. couple who used a dinghy from their sailboat to help rescue three people from the water described the seas running up to 2½ metres.

RCMP Cpl. Frank Bryson said police have spoken to the survivors and a number of witnesses, gathered photographs and video evidence, and collected information related to the boat and the operating company.

Police have also contacted past passengers of the vessel and others who had previously chartered through Top Vancouver Fishing.

“Investigators continue to identify and engage with additional individuals who may possess relevant information regarding previous voyages involving the vessel,” read the statement.

The boat was found about 153 metres below the surface.

“Although investigators were able to confirm the vessel’s identity, significant depth, darkness and underwater conditions limited efforts to examine the interior,” the statement read.

No bodies were found underwater outside the vessel.

Officials are evaluating options for bringing the boat to the surface. The operation will require the use of specialized equipment and technical expertise.

The investigation, led by the Richmond RCMP, continues with support from Transport Canada, WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Coroners Service. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is conducting its own probe into the incident.

Anyone with information about the boat is asked to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212.

jlee-young@postmedia.com

sip@postmedia.com