Quick-Thinking Captain Rescues Disoriented Hiker from Frigid Indian Arm Waters
In a dramatic rescue that highlights both the dangers of wilderness exploration and the importance of community vigilance, a small vessel captain saved a disoriented hiker from the frigid waters of Indian Arm last week. The incident unfolded on February 5, 2026, when Haksung Lee, a senior who had become lost on the Baden Powell Trail in North Vancouver, found himself in a life-threatening situation after attempting to kayak back to civilization.
A Desperate Attempt Turns Perilous
After losing his way on the popular hiking trail, Haksung Lee managed to reach a rocky shoreline. Spotting a kayak, he made the fateful decision to paddle down Indian Arm toward Deep Cove, where his vehicle was parked near Honey Doughnuts. This choice would soon plunge him into icy waters as his kayak flipped, leaving him submerged and struggling for survival.
Meanwhile, Emma Elvin, a 23-year-old small vessel captain who works for Prism Marine ferrying construction workers, had just finished her shift. Growing up in an off-grid cabin on Indian Arm without television or internet, Elvin developed a keen awareness of her aquatic surroundings. "Living on the water, you're always looking out the window," she explained, noting she had witnessed numerous Coast Guard operations and kayak accidents over the years.
"Hang On. I'm Coming to Get You"
On that unusually sunny February day, Elvin was enjoying the calm waters from her deck when she heard an irregular grunting sound that didn't match the rhythmic paddling of nearby canoeists. Looking to her left, she spotted a fully submerged kayak near her neighbor's dock with a figure clinging desperately to the structure.
"He's in shade, all in black. He's basically invisible," Elvin recalled of the moment she spotted the struggling hiker. Without hesitation, she began shouting "Hang on. I'm coming to get you" as she sprinted to her boat.
Within seconds, Elvin reached the dock and found Lee in a state of cold-water shock. Water was lapping over his panicked face as he clung to a tiny rope with hands that had seized from the freezing temperatures. His Garmin watch had already registered 32 minutes of immersion, mistakenly logging the ordeal as exercise activity.
Cold-Water Survival Knowledge Proves Crucial
Elvin's familiarity with the "one-10-one" principle of cold-water survival—which refers to the critical minutes before hypothermia sets in—guided her rapid response. The dock's height presented an additional challenge, making it impossible to reach the immobilized hiker directly from the structure.
The rescue underscores the unique challenges of Indian Arm, a 20-kilometer glacial fjord northeast of Burrard Inlet that attracts day-hikers with its rugged beauty but demands respect for its unpredictable conditions. Elvin represents part of a tight-knit community of approximately 75 residents who maintain constant vigilance over the waterway they call home.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for outdoor enthusiasts to:
- Stay on marked trails during wilderness excursions
- Understand the risks of cold-water immersion
- Recognize the importance of proper preparation
- Appreciate the value of local knowledge and community watchfulness
Thanks to Elvin's quick thinking and maritime expertise, what could have been a tragedy instead became a testament to human resilience and community responsibility in British Columbia's breathtaking but demanding natural landscapes.
