UPDATE Oct. 3
Search and rescue volunteers are hopeful sonar findings will lead to the recovery of the body of a missing Calgary man.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, #106 Shuswap Station leader Rob Sutherland reported Thursday morning that a side scan sonar search that took place yesterday for the body of Kevin Boutilier picked up what he is calling a "probable target."
"The search continued yesterday with the RCMSAR Station 106 boat along with the Vernon SAR side scan sonar being utilized from it," reports Sutherland in an email. "The search…concentrated on an area based on a picture taken just two minutes prior to Kevin Boutilier jumping off the boat and drowning. It was the second day we followed that line and, towards the end of the day, a probable target was found…"
The next step is to check the target with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), on loan from Vernon Search and Rescue. However, the ROV is currently undergoing repairs. Once repaired, the search will resume, at least to check out the target.
"If it is him, the ROV can clamp on to his wrist/ankle and he can be pulled up to the surface with the tether by hand," said Sutherland, adding the target is at an estimated depth of 360 feet.
Photos taken minutes before Boutilier drowned on Aug. 24 in Cinnemousun Narrows, as well as eye-witness reports, have helped to narrow the search area.
The search effort for the body of a Calgary man who went missing in Shuswap Lake is coming to an end.
On Monday, Sept. 30, Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Dave Dubnyk said search crews had another unsuccessful day on the water looking body of Kevin Boutilier, who went missing in Shuswap Lake on Aug. 24 and is presumed drowned.
Dubnyk says there will probably be one more outing, though this would be more of a wrap up, and “for all intents and purposes the search has been suspended.”
Several search efforts have already been conducted by police in co-ordination with the crew of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue #106 Shuswap Station and with assistance by Vernon Search and Rescue.