The last of the participants in a float down the Nechako River pull out at Cottonwood Island Park

Prince George, BC –  It’s impossible to say if it was the less-than-sizzling weather, or the safety warnings, but it was a quiet day for RCMP and their partners patrolling the Nechako River float.

"It was quiet, we probably had about 100 people, total, floating down the river and most of them took out here at the Nechako boat launch," says Lauren Phillips, PG Search and Rescue’s Swift Water Rescue Team Leader.

"We had a few people that went by that didn’t mean to that we brought back," she says, "And some folks that were intending to keep going to other take-outs – either further along in Cottonwood Park, or in the Fraser, which we don’t recommend."

RCMP Corporal, Craig Douglass, says the vast majority of participants were not wearing life jackets.  "Although there were groups that did," he says, "And, certainly, we thank them for that.  There were groups, again, on the ‘pool’ floatation devices – where, with one small hole, they’re in trouble."

"The fact the river is high – it’s fast, it’s cold, it’s dangerous – obviously, if you take the right precautions you can have a safer event," says the corporal.  "But most people aren’t and that’s why we’re out here."

In total, there were three boats patrolling the river over the course of the afternoon. 

PG SAR had five members out from the local Swift Water Rescue Team and one from Nechako Valley Swift Water Rescue in Vanderhoof. 

Two members of Prince George Fire Rescue were also out in the boats, as was the Conservation Officers Service and BC Parks.

The local jet boat club was also hosting a poker run on the Fraser River at the same time, so SAR was assisting that group, as well.

"We checked on them a couple of times and had some Search and Rescue members out at Goat Island to help if there was any need for it," says Phillips. 

"But it was uneventful as far as I’m aware."