VANCOUVER - What started out as an immigration investigation has turned into a search and rescue operation off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. RCMP and the Canadian Coast Guard will attempt to get as many of the 180 migrants off a vessel that was headed for Gold River.

The condition of the vessel carrying the illegal migrants has deteriorated to the point that safety is now the main concern. Coast Guard Lieutenant David McKinnon says the ship is not seaworthy. He says, "Because the vessel is not considered seaworthy to transfer all the migrants and crew off of the vessel, the vessel is currently enroute to Gold River where everyone will be met by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (Those officials) will determine how everyone will be dealt with."

Environment Canada says the weather off the coast of Gold River will be mixed today with no serious storms or rain anticipated. That should help any rescue operation.

This is the third vessel carrying illegal migrants to hit the coast of B.C. this summer.