B.C. boater presumed drowned, recovery effort underway

A Central Okanagan Search and Rescue boat is seen in this photo from the group's Facebook page. (facebook.com/CentralOkanaganSAR)

A man who was boating with friends on in the B.C. Interior is presumed drowned, according to authorities, who said an underwater search and recovery effort is ongoing.

Officers were called to Mara Lake around 8:15 p.m. on Friday, July 10, for reports the man was “unaccounted for,” a statement from the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP said.

Local search and rescue volunteers were also called in to assist with a search of the water and the shoreline, but Mounties said the man had not been found by Saturday evening despite “extensive” efforts.

The RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team was called in and scoured the lake on Sunday and Monday and is set to deploy “alternative towed sonar technology” in an attempt to locate the man’s body on Tuesday.

“Our thoughts are with the missing man’s family and friends during this difficult time,” said Sgt. Murrey McNeil, of the Sicamous RCMP, in the statement.

As of July 9—the day before this incident—there had been at least 32 drownings in the province this year, according to the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and the Yukon.