Sunshine and Smooth Sailing

By 250 News

Looking west from Foothills Bridge late this afternoon

Prince George, B.C. -  For the most part, the 2nd Annual Nechako River Float has gone swimmingly...

Participants hopped on air mattresses, into inflatable rafts and lounge chairs, and various other inflatable paraphernalia at Wilkins Park, in Miworth, to spend a leisurely afternoon floating down the river.

By late afternoon, approximately 100-200 teens and young adults had put into shore near the Foothills Bridge, while several hundred more carried on down to the boat launch in Cottonwood Park.

RCMP are reporting no major incidents at this point in time, but say they'll remain vigilant through the evening.

While most of the crowd gathered on the shoreline and along the bridge was just soaking up the sun, there were a few who could be seen to drinking alcohol. 

Two officers arrived on-scene to chat with groups on both sides of the bridge.  As Opinion250 was leaving, one young man was taken to the cruiser in handcuffs.

RCMP Sergeant Jason Keays says there have been a number of intoxicated individuals arrested over the course of the afternoon and several tickets issued.  But, he says there have been no major problems or injuries, and he's crediting heavy enforcement.

Keays says police officers received excellent assistance from B.C. Parks, Conservation Officers, and Search & Rescue in boats out on the water.  In addition, he says, B.C. Ambulance and Prince George Fire/Rescue were on standby.

In fact, he says, the event has served as an excellent training session, should a major incident arise on the City's waterways.

"It's a good exercise for all of the different agencies to work together, we got to see where our strengths and weaknesses are in terms of communication," says Sergeant Keays.  "(For example), we have to make sure we can all talk to each other -- more and more we're relying on cellphones and less on radios." 

 The pictures below show the scene further down the river...with the boat launch in Cottonwood Island Park serving as the end mark on the float route.

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