Coeur d’Alene, ID - On May 25th 2019, at around 8:25 p.m. Central Dispatch received a call via Marine 16, an emergency radio channel for marine operators, for a vessel in distress. They advised they were taking on water but did not give their location or any other information, nor did they respond to questions from the dispatcher.
Marine Deputies, Kootenai County Dive Rescue, Coeur d’ Alene Fire Personnel and Eastside Fire Personnel responded to CDA Lake via patrol and fire boats to help search Lake Coeur d’Alene for the distressed vessel.
About 45 minutes later, Central Dispatch received a call from a citizen in the area of the Spokane River and Templin’s Resort who advised they also heard the “Mayday” call. Post Falls Police Department and Avista Dam personnel were notified as well as the KCSO Drone Team to search the area of the Post Falls Dam.
Units were not able to locate a distressed vessel and Avista personnel checked the dam and the vessel safety line and did not see any indications of a vessel near or on the dam.
Based on this information and no other reports from the distressed vessel the search was called off.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all boaters that the Post Falls dam is still discharging water from the spring run-off. Because of this there are hazards on the river that are not normally a problem when the dam is closed. Additionally, there currently is a restriction for anyone to be in the water in a boat, swimming, in a canoe, paddle board, kayak or dock downstream from the Spokane Street Bridge.
If you have any questions about water conditions or boating safety please call the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol at 208-446-1300.
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger
By: Lt. Ryan Higgins
19-18088