Specialized RCMP divers are searching for a missing person in the Yukon River in Whitehorse.

The underwater recovery team from B.C. is searching the river by the breakwater at the pumphouse near the Whitehorse Fish Hatchery in Riverdale.

“We’re just trying to provide closure to the family concerned,” Whitehorse RCMP Insp. Archie Thompson said this morning.

He noted that the RCMP have not released the name of the person, who has been missing for about two weeks, out of respect for the wishes of the family.

Erik Stelter, a constable with the RCMP dive team, explained they are searching along the bank of the river in the back eddies, or areas where the water appears to be rolling backwards.

“If a victim or body would be in that back eddy it could stick to the bottom and not move,” he explained. “So it could remain there for an indefinite period of time until the flow changed.

“We’re just going to be checking all the areas where the victim would still be stationary after the amount of time,” he added.

While the dive team determined it was safe to dive in this area of the river, the minus 24 to 26 C degree temperatures do pose a challenge.

“The suits will protect us from the cold in the water, they’re designed to do that, but once they hit the wind chill, it’s just kind of like having wet clothes on,” explained Stelter.

Two divers will be in the water while another two will provide shore support. Based on a site assessment Sunday, it was determined that divers will be able to see 15 to 20 feet underwater.

Stelter said this will allow divers a 30-foot cross section that they can search at any one time. They can stay underwater between 40 and 60 minutes.

Yukon Energy is also reducing the current and volume of water to make it safer for the divers.

“We’re just looking forward to trying to bring some closure to the family and if that’s something that we can accomplish today we’ll be happy,” said Stelter.