Boaters stranded near Tobiano
The Kamloops RCMP's police boat was put to use this week after a family boating trip turned sour for a local family.
Kamloops Rural RCMP Cpl. Gerry Hansom said the group — three adults and three kids — hit Kamloops Lake for what was supposed to be a day of boating on Wednesday, July 20.
While on the lake, the driver noticed the fuel was low and decided to go to the Tobiano boat launch for a refill, only to find the fuelling station closed at 5 p.m.
They then decided to head home to Kamloops, but didn't make it to town, running out of gas while still on Kamloops Lake.
"Windy conditions caused the boat to drift on the lake to the area of the cliffs and rail tunnel on the north side," Hansom said.
"The family made a call for help and were told they were outside the Kamloops Fire Rescue area."
Two Mounties — one from the city detachment and one from Kamloops Rural — then headed to Kamloops Lake on the police boat just after 6 p.m.
By the time they were reached, the boaters had paddled to shore and lit a signal fire.
Hansom said choppy waters and three-foot swells made boating on the lake on Wednesday difficult, but, after an hour and a half of towing, the police boat was able to get the boaters' vessel to the Tobiano docks.
Hansom urged boaters to plan ahead when using Kamloops Lake.
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