‘This is still a rescue operation’

The RCMP have released the name of a missing officer near Mayo, after notifying the young man’s family of his disappearance.

The RCMP have released the name of a missing officer near Mayo, after notifying the young man’s family of his disappearance.

Const. Michael Potvin, 26, was swept away Tuesday evening after the seven-metre RCMP boat he was in capsized on the Stewart River near Mayo.

The search began Tuesday evening until after midnight, and continued Wednesday morning.

“This is still a rescue operation. We are actively out there searching by land, water and from the air,” Sgt. Don Rogers, the RCMP’s spokesperson, told a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Whitehorse.

Police say Potvin and another corporal from the Mayo detachment took the aluminum riverboat out on a maintenance run to ensure it was ready to respond to policing needs. It had been in winter storage.

“The boat engine began having problems, at which time they turned around and headed back towards the dock as they should have,” said Rogers.

“It appears they were trying to work on the boat when it suddenly capsized.”

Potvin was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) when he decided to swim to shore. He was approximately seven to 17 metres from the water’s edge when he was last seen.

“It is not known at this time why he was not wearing his PFD and it is expected this will form part of the investigation by Human Resources Skills Development Canada,” Rogers said.

He confirmed Potvin was wearing his soft body armour, which includes a firearm, handcuffs, baton and duty belt. The weight of the gear exceeds 20 pounds, and officers on duty are required to wear it at all times, including while in a water craft.

The other officer stayed with the boat and was later removed from the water by witnesses who paddled out to rescue him.

Rogers could not say whether the second officer was wearing a life jacket, but he did say the craft was equipped with PFDs.

“RCMP policy is that you will wear a PFD at all times when in the boat and around the dock,” he said. “However, the law does not require you to wear a PFD as long as there are adequate numbers of PFDs for each person in the boat.”

Although Potvin is not qualified to operate the water craft, he wasn’t required to be because he was only a passenger, said Rogers.

However, the other officer is qualified to operate the boat, and received training through the RCMP. In that training, they do go over safety procedures and emergency rescues, Rogers said.

Every situation is different, he said, adding he could not say whether the officers should or should not have stayed with the boat.

Currently, the “M” Division Crime unit is on the scene and is assisting in the search and the investigation into the incident. Five boats are searching the river.

An RCMP dive team from Prince George, B.C. arrived Wednesday afternoon. Members are using additional equipment, such as more powerful lighting and sonar.

Community members are also assisting in the search, and have offered food, lodging and any further support services deemed necessary.

“Constable Potvin is a well-liked member of the detachment and I’m sure the community, given the assistance that they’re currently providing, is not only very concerned, but is very worried and hopeful that Constable Potvin is found safe,” said Rogers.

Potvin has served about one year with the RCMP and was posted in Watson Lake before recently moving to Mayo.

Potvin lives in Mayo with his wife. Rogers said family members are en route from their homes across the country to be with her.

An RCMP psychologist and other support services are available to the family, members of the RCMP and the community.

Rogers said the thoughts and prayers of RCMP members go out to Potvin’s family, and “we continue to hope that he’s found alive.”

He added: “We remain optimistic and hopeful that Constable Potvin will be found downstream safe. However, we are realistic, and we recognize that as more time goes by, the likelihood of his survival lessens.”