Prince George, BC – The search effort has turned to a recovery mission for a Prince George man believed to have drowned in a boating mishap on Takysie Lake, approximately 30-kilometres south of Burns Lake.

North District RCMP Media Relations Officer, Constable Lesley Smith, says, "Search efforts will continue in order to locate Brett Smith, who was last heard from on Tuesday and is now, sadly, presumed drowned."

Constable Smith says the 36-year-old was staying at the Takysie Lake Resort while in the area for work.  She says when family became concerned after not hearing from Smith since Tuesday, the owners of the resort attended the lake and found a boat used by Smith abandoned on the north shore.  "Items belonging to Smith were on-board, but there was no sign of the Prince George man."

Search and Rescue volunteers from Nechako Valley, Houston, Fort St James and Terrace assisted RCMP in search efforts that are now into their fourth day.  "A side sonar unit is being utilized in Takysie Lake, which covers approximately 1270 acres and has a maximum depth of 38 feet," says the media relations officer.  "RCMP Police Dog Services are assisting with the ground search and a PEP helicopter has conducted an aerial search of the lake."

Constable Smith says numerous volunteers from the surrounding area, including the owners of the resort, have been extremely helpful during the challenging search process. 

RCMP Victim Services from Prince George and Burns Lake are assisting the family.  Friends say Smith and his wife moved to Prince George from Chilliwack just over a year ago.