An exhaustive, days-long search for four missing fishermen on Great Slave Lake has been scaled back after numerous aerial and underwater probes failed to locate the missing individuals, say Hay River , one of several agencies involved in the far-reaching search and rescue operation.
Daniel Courtoreille, 51, Michael Courtoreille, 50, Jason Fulton, 40, and Stacy Linington, 59 have been missing after departing Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 commercial dock on Sept. 29 to check fishing nets at Sulphur Point, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake. The group was reported overdue to in the early hours of Sept. 30 after failing to arrive back before nightfall on Sept. 29.
The fishermen were travelling aboard a 33-foot aluminum hull vessel, SA国际影视传媒渆quipped with a pilot house, two engines, VHF radio, life jackets and fishing equipment,SA国际影视传媒� according to .
On Oct. 1, spotted a submerged craft near Windy Bay, but found no sign of the missing fishermen. It was later confirmed the vessel had been used by the four men.
On Sunday, four members of the Vancouver-based Underwater Dive Team, along with crews from the Canadian Coast Guard and the Hay River Marine Rescue Unit of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) travelled to the submerged vessel in the Windy Bay area, stated a news release issued by on Monday.
The divers inspected the vessel, but found no signs of the missing fishermen. The vessel was brought to the waterSA国际影视传媒檚 surface, but sank back down to the bottom of the lake.
SA国际影视传媒淯nder the circumstances and with the challenging conditions, a decision was made by to scale back the marine search, with the families notified of this change,SA国际影视传媒� states MondaySA国际影视传媒檚 news release from .
SA国际影视传媒淭he decision included forecasts of deteriorating weather conditions predicting strong winds, rain and potentially snow in the coming days," continued the news release.
Police added a further aerial search could be scheduled in the coming weeks with the help of a CASARA aircraft to inspect the western and the southern shorelines of Great Slave Lake.
SA国际影视传媒淐ommunity volunteers have been rallying in the last few days to organize ground searches of the south shore and are planning to continue searching if weather permitting,SA国际影视传媒� states the news release, adding, SA国际影视传媒� wish to remind community volunteers to use extreme caution and plan ahead if venturing out on the land or water as the weather conditions may become hazardous and unpredictable.SA国际影视传媒�
Anyone with information about the missing fishermen is asked to call their local detachment.
SA国际影视传媒淚f further evidence comes to light, lifting the marine search suspension may be reevaluated,SA国际影视传媒� state .
SA国际影视传媒淪A国际影视传媒淲e are extremely grateful to our partner agencies in their courageous efforts to locate these missing men, assisting us in many ways. We are also thankful to the citizens of Hay River, in supporting the families that came up to be closer during the search efforts. Our thoughts are with the families at this time" states Sgt. Brandon Humbke.
Updates to follow.
