As search crews and volunteers continue to scour the waters and shoreline of Finlayson Arm for missing Sooke man Ryan Mazar, life continues at pace for his family.
Shiloh Ryan Mazar, born Thursday (May 1), is the missing 43-year-old’s first grandchild. The newborn’s middle name was chosen in honour of the "thoughtful, kindhearted and generous" grandfather who remains missing after he was thrown overboard from his boat on April 22.
“Ryan would have been elated about it all,” said Doug Volek, the great-grandfather to newborn Shiloh Ryan. “He couldn't believe that he was going to be a grandfather.”
Volek is also grandfather of Mazar's eldest son Drew, from a previous relationship, and the two remain close friends.
For the newly great-grandfather and his wife, Joyce Volek, the birth of the newest member of their extended, blended family has brought some comfort while they wait for news of Mazar.
But the days since his disappearance have been an emotional rollercoaster for the couple.
“It comes and goes,” said Doug, who last saw Mazar a week before the accident when he popped round to give him a bag of freshly caught prawns. “You're okay, until you start thinking too much … something will trigger it off and you'll feel sad all over again. But for the most part, you have to go on, take every day as a new day.”
Also onboard the boat the day Mazar went missing, was his partner Mykaila and their three-month-old daughter Ariel, who were all out on the water to go prawning.
The family were thrown into the water when the boat suddenly turned.
“They were going at a good speed just to head out to set the prawn traps,” said Joyce. “And there was a sudden turn and and they were tossed – that’s all we know.”
While their unmanned boat continued to travel in circles, Joyce says it was imperative the family work together to get to safety.
Mazar told Mykaila to kick off her gumboots, take their daughter and swim to shore, explains Doug. “That was the last time she spoke to Ryan,” he said.
“But she couldn't get her gum boots off, so she went on her back and swam for a couple hours, keeping the baby out of the water. She said all she saw was blue sky, until she saw the tree line, and then she knew she made it.”
On shore, the exhausted mom screamed for help, says Doug, which eventually came an hour later.
“What strength to have get to shore with your baby,” said Doug in awe of Mykaila’s heroics. “That's something to be said there – never give up.”
Once rescued, the mother and daughter were taken to hospital and were expected to be discharged Friday (May 2). Family and friends, including Doug and Joyce, are on standby to support the pair any way they can.
“Physically, I think Mykaila and Ariel are healthy now and and they've made wonderful progress; it's just been a complete miracle,” said Joyce. “Emotionally, it really varies … any minute it can change. She's struggling with that and is also getting help to to get through each day.”
Since the accident, the military, Canadian Coast Guard, search and rescue teams and West Shore RCMP have all been involved in the search for Mazar.
A spokesperson for West Shore RCMP said their helicopter was out April 30 and May 1, alongside efforts made by their dive team, with the search expected to continue Friday (May 2).
“All of our efforts, including the aerial search, are being done in an effort to locate Mr. Mazar as he is still missing,” said the RCMP spokesperson in a statement.
Volunteers, including a woman who searched the shoreline with her dog for three hours and a drone pilot, have also given their time to find Mazar.
“It's just incredible the amount of response by all the emergency groups and organizations … and all the family, friends, strangers and communities that have helped. It's just been really overwhelming, and we're totally grateful,” said Joyce.
The outpouring of community support has also been demonstrated via a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $8,000 to help Mazar’s partner Mykaila and their daughter Ariel. People have also been donating to the family via participating Greater Victoria branches of the Bottle Depot, when recycling their refundable beverage containers.
Doug describes the financial boost for the mom and baby as amazing, but says the community can show its support in many other ways. “It can be as little as a thought, a prayer, a share of the GoFundMe page online or do something nice for somebody else,” he says.
While the family draws strength from each other and those around them, ultimately, they want answers about Mazar's fate.
“We just want to have Ryan found and brought home,” says Joyce. “The family needs closure, whatever that looks like.”
To make a donation to the fundraiser for Mazar's partner and baby, visit the website: .