The territory's chief coroner has announced plans to hold an inquest into the 2010 drowning of an RCMP constable in the Stewart River near Mayo.

Const. Michael Potvin died on July 13, when his boat capsized.

He was only several feet from the shore, according to witnesses, but was caught in the current and swept away.

The 26-year-old Mountie and a corporal from the Mayo detachment had taken the boat out on a maintenance run when it began taking on water.

Neither Potvin nor the other officer was wearing a life jacket, but the personal flotation devices were in the boat.

Potvin was wearing his duty belt, which can weigh more than 20 lbs.

The other officer stayed with the floundering boat and was later rescued.

Potvin had recently been transferred to the Mayo detachment from Watson Lake, where he had served his first six months with the RCMP.

He was originally from eastern Ontario. His body was recovered on July 30.

Chief Coroner Sharon Hanley said Wednesday afternoon the inquest is being called to "prevent future deaths in similar circumstances” and make the details of what happened public.

It is expected to last four to five days beginning on May 14 at the High Country Inn in Whitehorse.

After the jury hears from witnesses, it has the option of making recommendations.

These suggestions are provided to all of the people involved but are not legally binding.

The territoriy's last inquest took place in September 2011 and centred around the death of Robert Stone.

He died at the detox centre in the city's Sarah Steele Building on May 2, 2010.

The jury determined Stone died of "undetermined natural causes” and called on the government to build an assisted sober living facility in Whitehorse.