Three men from Hopedale are home safe and sound thanks to efforts made by Hopedale Grounds Search and Rescue (GSAR) and the use of a SPOT device on June 3, 2021.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., Hopedale RCMP received a report of a SOS distress signal from the men who were carrying a SPOT device that they had loaned out from the Hopedale RCMP Detachment. The device tracked their current location and showed that they were in Kanairiktuk Bay. Police activated Hopedale GSAR who attended the area by boat and located the three missing men. All three were found in good health and had run into issues with their boat.
A SPOT device uses satellite signal or text messaging with GPS technology and is a very useful tool if a person finds themselves displaced or in need of help. These devices are available to lend for free using a sign-out system at many RCMP detachments in the province. Currently, contactless pickup at the detachment can be arranged over the phone.
RCMP NL thanks Hopedale Ground Search and Rescue for their assistance and attributes some of the success of this search to the wise choice made by the men to carry a SPOT device.