BANFF – A group of four people on a boat in Lake Minnewanka was rescued last Tuesday (June 4) after the motor on the boat quit and the weather turned.
“On June 4, Banff dispatch received a call from a boater in distress on Lake Minnewanka,” said Parks Canada visitor safety specialist Lisa Paulson.
“There were four individuals on board one of the aluminum rental boats and the motor had quit and they started to take on water with the high winds that were occurring at the time.”
The group was able to place the call through a cellphone, which Paulson said was fortunate considering cellphones do not always work in the backcountry with spotty or non-existent coverage.
“They said they were taking on water with four people on board and they weren’t exactly sure where they were on the lake,” Paulson said.
“We viewed it as an urgent situation due to the cold water conditions and high winds and the fact the boat was taking on water, so obviously the boaters faced several hazards and we knew a quick rescue effort would be required.”
Parks Canada Wardens responded on a boat, with additional help from Pursuit staff who rent the boats on the lake.
Alpine Helicopters also responded to help locate the boat.
https://www.facebook.com/alpinehelicopters/posts/2410904735820704
Paulson said the boaters were found eight kilometres from Lake Minnewanka campground where they were visiting friends, and approximately 100 metres from shore.
“[Pursuit] was there first and able to pick up to boaters and take them to safety – they were cold but unharmed,” she said, noting everyone was wearing the proper personal floatation devices. “Our mountain lake temperatures are very cold, especially Lake Minnewanka and certainly this time of year, hypothermia is a definite risk even as we move towards the summer.”
Paulson said this incident is the perfect time to also remind the public to recognize the risks of the unpredictability of the backcountry.
“Generally our safety message is to anyone recreating in the park whether it’s boating or hiking in the backcountry, we view safety as a shared responsibility,” Paulson said.
“We want to remind anyone travelling into the backcountry, or on the water, they’re responsible for their own safety and part of that is to recognize conditions might change rapidly in the mountain parks and they need to be prepared for variable weather and challenging situations.”
Advice for boaters is to stay close to shore, wear personal floatation devices and keep an eye on the weather, as it can change in an instant.
“Pay close attention to the wind, the weather forecast, [and] you know if the wind picks up, stay close to shore and be sure to have the proper safety equipment,” Paulson said.
She added people should never rely on their cellphones.
“People can have a satellite communication device where those devices can make calls, or send out emergency texts, but even stepping back from that, you should always be evaluating what if something happens here, what should I do ... as we head into a busy summer, people can do a lot to manage their risk and the activities they undertake,” she said.
