The annual Nechako River Float took place this weekend and the bad weather made for a good time, at least for rescuers on the Nechako River.
Even though it was a month delayed due to unseasonably cold and wet conditions, the water was still not hospitable for most. Instead of thousands of participants, there were dozens.
Police and other emergency responders were relieved.
"Likely due to this decline and the amount of enforcement on area roads, enforcement on the water was relatively minimal. Most importantly, there were no significant issues," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Most of the participants were friendly, co-operative and conveyed their happiness to see the RCMP on the water. The biggest displeasure noted from the participants was when the sun went behind the clouds."
The good fun was tainted by some upsetting sights. When are people going to get it, that going on the water in any way requires a life jacket?, Douglass wondered.
"A large amount of participants stated they were 'good swimmers' when asked why they did not have life jackets with them," he said. "With a current that strong and the river 20 feet deep in parts, even an expert swimmer could have serious problems."
A lot of the inflatable devises used to float down the river were far from safe, he added. Thin plastic pool mattresses are easily punctured or lose air from weak seals.
A number of young teens were out on the river without adult assistance, said Douglass, which raised great concern for their safety.
Local emergency response officials paid considerable attention to the event. Two jet boats were patrolling the Nechako for the duration - an RCMP vessel from West Coast Marine Section (Prince Rupert) and a vessel and officer on loan from the BC Conservation Officer Service. Both vessels had swift water trained personnel on board.
The partner agencies involved in watching over the event included the Prince George RCMP detachment, Prince George Fire Rescue Service, the BC Ambulance Service, the BC Conservation Officer Service, Prince George Search and Rescue, the Prince George Jet Boaters Association, the RCMP's North Coast Marine Section and the RCMP's North District Traffic Services.
All the focus on the float made the regular weekend file count take on the same numbers as a long weekend, said Douglass, but the severity of the files was not extreme. Most infractions were traffic-related.
Floating the 2011 police stats
2 - 90-Day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions
2 - 03-Day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions
1 - Drug Related 24-hour Suspension
1 - No Insurance
3 - Fail to Comply With Conditions / Operate Contrary to Restrictions
15 - Liquor Seizures (plus three more seizures by enforcement vessels)
1 - Drug Seizures
1 - Unlicenced Drivers
5 - Vehicle Impounds
2 - Prohibition Notice / Suspension Notice
23 - Other infractions including No Driver's Licence, Fail To Produce Driver's Licence, Open Liquor in Vehicles and removal of Unsafe Vehicles from the road
