Update: RCMP will continue search for missing boater

May 21, 2019 | 2:22 PM

West Kelowna RCMP have taken over the investigation into the disappearance of Zygmunt Janiewicz.

A large scale search was sparked Friday afternoon when the 71 year old’s kayak and life jacket were discovered on a Kelowna beach in the 3000-block of Abbott Street.

“Despite the significant search efforts, to date there have been no further discoveries made and the RCMP have had to make the difficult decision to suspend the search efforts of volunteer SAR personnel,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP. “The RCMP will continue to search for Zygmunt and investigators will be consulting with expert divers of the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, who will attend to assess the search area for the effectiveness for the use of sonar equipment.”

Mr. Janiewicz was reportedly last seen wearing a pair of black pants, a neon yellow jacket and a white hat.

It is also believed that Zygmunt had a pair of sunglasses and a cellular phone with him when he ventured out on the water.

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Update: May 19 8 p.m.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue says the search for the missing kayaker has been suspended until they get information to start again.

The search for a missing boater on Okanagan Lake is into its third day.

On May 17, 2019 at 3:35 p.m., Kelowna RCMP received a report of an overdue kayaker last seen on the lake.

71-year-old Zygmunt Janiewicz of Kelowna failed to return as scheduled after entering onto the water at about 2:30 p.m., from the shoreline on Abbott Street.

“An abandoned surf ski personal water craft and personal floatation device, similar to the ones being used by Mr. Janiewicz were recovered along the shore near Watt Road,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Searchers have been scouring the shoreline, as RCMP have called for support from the Kelowna Fire Department’s rescue vessel and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue who have since launched their helicopter to search from the skies above.”

Helping RCMP in the search for Mr. Janiewicz is just one part of a busy weekend for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue.

Saturday night around sunset, COSAR was asked to help locate a missing camper at Brown Lake in the Okanagan Highlands area.

COSAR Search Manager Duane Tresnich says searchers stopped for the night at 4 a.m. and plans were made to resume the search at first light

“Because our guys had been going wide open since Friday, we called Vernon and Penticton search and rescue for mutual aid. More than a dozen volunteers responded Sunday morning to assist our crews,” says Tresnich.

Fortunately, the subject of the Browne Lake search — a 24-year-old man — was located by a four-wheeler near Fish Lake and driven back to his camp.

“He was fortunate,” says Tresnich. “People need to be aware that temperatures in the high country are just above freezing at night and they should bring appropriate clothing.”

COSAR crews were back in the air this afternoon conducting an aerial search of Okanagan Lake for Janiewicz.

by Corey Fischer