Article content continued

“All of us at Princess Cruises are deeply saddened by this tragic news and we are extending our full support to the investigating authorities as well as the travelling companions of the guests involved,” said company spokesman Brian O’Connor in a statement.

Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the company’s statement that the Canadian was among those missing.

The Royal Princess cruise ship left Vancouver for Anchorage on Saturday and is scheduled to return on May 25.

Coast Guard Commander Michael Kahle said crews are searching both the water and the shore of a remote area called George Inlet for the missing.

“For the folks we’re looking for, the challenge that they’re dealing with is that it is cold water,” he told a news conference Tuesday. “Our hope is that … they can get themselves out of the water as quickly as possible — in this case, onto a log, onto some debris, or get to shore.”

He said the area is en route to the Misty Fjords National Monument, a popular and active spot for sightseeing flights.

One of the planes was a single-engine de Havilland Otter operated by Taquan Air and was returning from a wilderness tour sold through Princess Cruises of the Misty Fjords, the company said.

It was carrying 10 guests from the Royal Princess and a pilot, who were all Americans, the statement said.

The other plane, a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, was operating an independent flight tour carrying a pilot and four guests, of which two were American, one was Canadian and the other was Australian, the company added.