Body of missing boater found

Ryan Prett was last seen Friday Dec. 1, 2023 on a small skiff headed back to the sailboat he lives on. Photo: Nanaimo RCMP

The RCMP are reporting a body found at Neck Point Beach on Wednesday, January 24 was that of a boater reported missing on Dec. 2, 2023.

The body was “badly decomposed” and RCMP at the scene were unable to make an identification at the time it was found.

Tattoos found on the body were able to help investigators identify it as 35-year-old Ryan Pratt.

At the time he was reported missing, police say the Pratt had been living on a sailboat moored in nearby waters off Hammond Bay Road. An exhaustive search was undertaken but searchers were unable to locate him.

The family of the deceased has been advised, RCMP Victim Services is engaged and the BC Coroners Service is continuing with their investigation, per an RCMP press release.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.