Missing boater found entangled in old fishing net
By Staff Writer - Chilliwack Progress
Published: March 07, 2011 12:00 PM
Updated: March 07, 2011 1:16 PM
Entangled in an old fishing net, a boater reported missing last Thursday on the Fraser River was rescued later that day by the Chilliwack Search And Rescue Team and the RCMP.
"The boater was uninjured, but was very cold and wet," Cpl.Tammy Hollingsworth said.
The Mission man was reported missing by his family at about 7:35 p.m. after he failed to return to a meeting point west of Old Orchard Road, where he had launched the small aluminum boat at about 4:30 p.m.
Police said the boater had fishing gear and clothing designed for cold weather, however, he did not have oars, a cell phone or other survival equipment.
The Chilliwack SAR team was called, as well as the RCMP helicopter Air 1, because of the growing darkness and low visibility.
The helicopter located the boat about two kilometres west of the Old Orchard boat launch, and about 40 feet from shore.
The SAR team took the boater to a waiting ambulance where he was treated for cold weather exposure, and released to relieved family members.
"RCMP members at the scene were able to determine the boat motor had got stuck in an old fishing net, which immobilized the boat," Hollingsworth said.
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