April 4th Nanaimo to Comox or From Heaven to "HELL"

We departed Nanaimo at 8 am. It was a perfect day with a 15 knot southerly wind and a following sea. We put up the foresail and were cruising along at 7 knots. The wind started building from 15 knots to 18 knots and then 22 knots. The sky darkened as a huge black cloud formed. Long dark grey tendrils of rain gave the cloud an ominous appearance. With the incoming tide and the mounting southerly wind, the chop formed close together swells of 8 to 10 feet. As we were being pounded by the wind and swell we heard a loud bang! The painter line to the dinghy snapped and "Wings" disappeared into a deep troft.
We slowed the boat and pointed her into the wind so that we could bring in the foresail. Lou hit the "Man Overboard" button on the chart plotter to mark the location. As we turned we were hit broadside by the mounting swell and wind now 25 knots. We scanned the rough water searching for a sign of our run away tender. We caught a flash of the Yamaha motor bouncing in the distance and then disappearing again. In these conditions we knew that it would be impossible to retrieve the 14 ft. boat by ourselves.
Last year we experienced something similar on the other side of Texeda Island near Pender Harbor. We did retrieve the boat but with great difficulty. We were cautioned by friends in the Coast Guard never to attempt it again as it often results in disaster.
We were north of Qualicum Beach and Parksville. We called the Coast Guard giving them our Lat and Lon position and sea conditions. They informed us that they do not retrieve property but they would put out a "Pan Pan" to all boats in the area to help us.
THERE WERE NO BOATS IN THE AREA THIS TIME OF YEAR! For about an hour and a half we circled the "run away" being pounded by the wind and swell especially when we were broadsided by the sea. The Coast Guard called back to ask if we were in peril. Lou informed them that if he were to retrieve the boat WE WOULD BE IN PERIL! They said they would send a boat to help us. Within 15 minutes we spotted the familiar bright orange inflatable with two brave souls aboard. They came along our starboard side having to gun their powerful engines as not to ram us because of the turbulent water. After we explained the situation they bravely set out to rescue "Wings". We watched helplessly as they fought the swell and captured the fugitive. They attached a line and gallantly returned with "Wings" in tow handing over the line to Lou. We exchanged information and thanked them profusely. We waived goodbye and they disappeared into the mist.