Phase of search for missing officer ends

A dive team has completed their portion of the search for RCMP Const. Michael Potvin, who disappeared last week when the boat he was in capsized on the Stewart River near Mayo.

A dive team has completed their portion of the search for RCMP Const. Michael Potvin, who disappeared last week when the boat he was in capsized on the Stewart River near Mayo.

The divers arrived from British Columbia last week to conduct a systematic search of the area where Potvin was most likely to be found.

Searchers will continue looking in the river and on the river banks further downstream.

“Even though the divers have completed their search of the probable location, the focus of the search will now transition to areas downstream using boats and aircraft patrols,” Cpl. Cam Lockwood said in a statement.

Potvin and another officer with the Mayo detachment had taken an aluminum RCMP boat out on a maintenance run after it had been in storage all winter. They were working on the engine when the craft suddenly capsized.

The other officer stayed with the boat and was later rescued by witnesses to the mishap.

Potvin, who was not wearing a life jacket, attempted to swim to shore. He was last seen between 20 to 50 feet from land.

Potvin has served about a year with the RCMP. He was stationed in Watson Lake before recently moving to Mayo with his wife.

Relatives of Potvin are now in Mayo and some family members are actively involved in the search.

Police say they are sincerely grateful to for the support and continued efforts of local residents, searchers, and partner and government agencies.