A search operation is underway after four commercial fishermen were reported overdue in Hay River.
According to an RCMP news release, issued over the noon hour Monday, Mounties in Hay River received a report just after 4:00 am Monday that the men were believed to have been travelling by boat on the lake.
The group had left the commercial dock in Hay River early Sunday and were to travel to Sulphur Point on the lake’s south shore to check fishing nets, police stated.
Police say the group was scheduled to be back before dark on Sunday.
The Canadian Military’s Joint Rescue Command Center, based at CFB Trenton, Ontario and 440 Squadron (Yellowknife) have arranged for air assets to be deployed in the area in an effort to locate the overdue party.
A Canadian Coast Guard vessel is also supporting the search, police say.
“As the current weather conditions are calling for strong winds on the lake, RCMP is urging community volunteers to not put themselves at risk, despite their good intentions to assist.”
Anyone with information on the overdue fishermen is asked to call Hay River RCMP at 874-1111.
Police say updates will be provided as information becomes available.
The names of the fishermen have not been released.