Following four days of aerial and aquatic searches for four missing fishermen in Hay River, RCMP now say the chances of survival for the missing men are slim and have scaled back their search into a recovery mission.
Alongside the Canadian Coast Guard and Auxiliary, police began searching for Daniel Courtoreille, 51, Michael Courtoreille, 50, Jason Fulton, 40, and Stacy Linington, 59, after their boat was found partially submerged Oct. 1 in Windy Bay.
Police said fishing debris believed to belong to them was found in the open water, but there have been no sightings of the missing fishermen.
“It’s been a difficult week for friends and family of the missing four men. They were well-known and respected fishermen. We are working hard to try to collect any information and evidence that could bring answers to their loved-ones as to what happened”, Hay River Sgt. Brandon Humbke said in a release.
RCMP are reminding anyone venturing out into the wilderness to use extreme caution, as weather conditions are unpredictable and can be hazardous.