(Photo courtesy of Vernon Search and Rescue)

By Liam Verster

Search Continues as Vessel is Recovered

Search for missing boat captain in Okanagan Lake continues

Jul 28, 2023 | 9:44 AM

The search for the captain of a fishing boat that capsized on Okanagan Lake late Monday night continues.

The vessel reportedly overturned near Ellison Park around 11:15 p.m. on July 24 during a large storm.

The boat operator did not surface and has not been found, despite search efforts from the RCMP and Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR).

The RCMP stated the recovery of the vessel has been handed over to other agencies as no criminality is suspected. Police are keeping a missing person case open for this incident.

Search and Rescue teams will continue to search the lake at different times over the next several days to assist with the search for the missing man.

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“This has transitioned solely to a missing person investigation and will continue until the person is located,” Cst. Chris Terleski, Media Relations Officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, stated.

“Sadly, we haven’t found any indication that the victim survived the incident but this cannot be confirmed until he has been located. We’ll continue to offer our full support to the family as they navigate the anguish and uncertainty of this unfortunate tragedy.”

RCMP have also scaled back its search for a kayaker who went missing on Kalamalka Lake that same night.

READ MORE: Missing kayaker presumed drowned in Kalamalka Lake

Police said that Eli Buruca, 26, has presumably drowned, though VSAR will still be searching the lake periodically over the next several days. RCMP are keeping the missing person case for this incident open as well.