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Mounties to explore 'every possible avenue' for charges against suspect in boat-distress hoax

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 08/2/2012 11:09 AM

RCMP have identified a Matlock man who is facing mischief and alcohol charges after he allegedly called in a phoney rescue plea from his boat on Lake Winnipeg.

James Scott, 36, was charged with impaired operation of a vessel/boat, impaired care and control of a vessel/boat, and public mischief. Additional charges are being contemplated, police said.

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Scott is scheduled to appear in Gimli Provincial Court on Oct. 29.

The incident began with an apparent distress call around 10 p.m. Tuesday about a capsized boat with 13 people in the water.

RCMP spokesman Cpl. Miles Hiebert said the call to RCMP triggered responses from the Canadian Coast Guard, local emergency services and a Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules and search-and-rescue team out of 17 Wing in Winnipeg.

The coast guard vessel located a boat with a lone individual on board about one kilometre from shore near the Winnipeg Beach harbour. The man was safe. No boat had capsized and no one was in the water.

The man was taken into custody. RCMP reported Wednesday that alcohol appeared to be involved in the incident and warned that charges were likely.

Hiebert said the phoney call isn't considered a laughing matter, adding search and rescue personnel put their lives at risk during searches and many times individuals are injured.

"It's tragic to think that could have been the possibility here," Hiebert said.

It's difficult to put a price on the waste of resources on a phoney call, he said. But the real tragedy would have been if a legitimate call for help had come in and the needed resources weren't available because of the hoax, Hiebert said.

"We're going to explore every possible avenue," to bring all possible charges against the man, Hiebert said.