A coordinated search and rescue mission was successful in saving a stranded boater this past weekend.
On November 10, 2013, shortly after 10am, Poplar River RCMP received a report of a missing boater. Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton had been advised of the missing boater by a citizen who was aware of the boater being overdue. JRCC Trenton advised the RCMP that a 35-year-old male resident of Poplar River had last been seen on November 9, 2013, around 2pm, departing Matheson Island traveling by boat to Poplar River.
JRCC Trenton tasked a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130 Hercules from 17 Wing Winnipeg to commence the search for the missing boater which was turned over to a second CC-130 Hercules when it arrived on scene.
The RCAF CC-130 Hercules crew homed in on a distress signal, and after dropping a radio to establish communications with the party on the ground, were able to confirm it was the missing individual. The crew dropped two survival bundles which included food, water, a portable cooking stove and a shelter from the aircraft to assist the stranded boater until he could be extracted.
As night approached, the potential for hypothermia increased. Two Search and Rescue Technicians parachuted into the site to provide assistance and remain overnight with the stranded boater.
On November 11, 2013, shortly before 9am, Poplar River RCMP chartered a helicopter that was able to extract the boater from the shoreline about 35 km south of Poplar River. Search and Rescue technicians assisted.
RCMP report that the boater did not require any medical attention and was returned home safely.
