Robert Baines has been missing since Jan. 2. The search for him will resume March 28 in Kalamalka Lake using sonar equipment. (photo courtesy of Baines family/Facebook)

By Pete McIntyre

missing for three months

Sonar boat to search for missing senior on Kalamalka Lake

Mar 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM

The search for a missing man in Coldstream will resume this week with a new focus on Kalamalka Lake.

Robert Lee Baines, 83, hasn’t been seen since leaving a relative’s residence on Ponderosa Way on Jan. 2, 2024.

Extensive ground and air searches of that area — and in nearby Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park — turned up no sign of the senior who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say with the weather warming up and boating season not far off, the search for Mr. Baines will resume in a specific area of the lake using specialized sonar equipment.

“It is requested that boaters stay a few hundred meters away from the search area,” Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer, said. “The wake from passing boats causes disturbances with the readings of the sonar which will extend the search efforts.”

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Finn said the lake search, set to start Thursday, March 28, will focus on the area around Kalamalka Park from Rattlesnake Point to deeper waters.

“The vessel is equipped with flashing lights and is easily spotted by other boaters,” Finn said.