By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: May 30, 2018
Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue, the Search and Rescue team based in Ucluelet, has joined the friends and family of the two missing Squamish men in efforts to locate them.
Squamish resident Julie Ann MacKinnon spent the last two days putting up posters and canvassing neighbourhoods in the area as more than 50 volunteers search for the two missing men.
“If anyone had the capacity to survive, it would be these guys. On the other hand so much time has passed that the mind does travels to worst case scenarios.” Julie MacKinnon
She said she was told the search and rescue may narrow its focus of search to Ucluelet, although it hasn’t been officially confirmed.
Squamish residents Daniel Archbald and Ryan Daley were on a sailboat that docked in Ucluelet on May 13, and they were last seen leaving the Ucluelet Small Craft Harbour by land on May 16. They have not had any contact with family and friends since.
West Coast search and rescue manager Liam McNeill said the local SAR is working with the RCMP to create an on-the-ground plan.
“At this point, we’re continuing our investigation, trying to isolate locations to do a physical search and we’ve made some recommendations to the RCMP,” McNeil told the Westerly News.
“We look at a number of factors and we use a number of different investigative techniques and search techniques in order to try and isolate areas where individuals might be, including looking at their subject profile, last known location, direction of travel and so on,” he told the Westerly News.
He added anyone who may have seen the two men must immediately contact the Ucluelet RCMP at 250-726-7773.
“If they remember anything, please contact the RCMP,” he said.
Relating her search experience, MacKinnon said while one group has been canvassing neighbourhoods and informing locals about the missing men along the coast, another group has focussed its search on some back roads for any signs of the missing men.
She said both men had said they were going to catch a ride from Ucluelet to Jordan River and a part of the search has been taking place on old logging roads.
She said while friends and family are being positive, the duration of the time they have went missing is a cause for concern.
“They were physically fit, they would have appropriate clothing and weather has been good. If anyone had the capacity to survive, it would be these guys. On the other hand so much time has passed that the mind does travels to worst case scenarios,” she said.
MacKinnon said more volunteers may be needed and she encouraged people to message the Find Dan and Ryan Facebook page to volunteer.
Daniel ARCHBALD is described as a 37 year old male, with strawberry blonde short hair and stubble on his face. He is average build and was last seen wearing a grey fleece long sleeve top, green pants and flip flops. He was carrying a large “dry bag”.
Ryan DALEY is a 43 year old male with short dark hair and was wearing a grey ball cap with black logo, white t-shirt, dark pants possibly jeans, shoes and carrying a yellow/green backpack and carrying a large white with black accents duffel bag.
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Daniel ARCHBALD and Ryan DALEY, they are asked to call the Ucluelet RCMP at 250-726-7773 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
