Boater found safe
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A local man late to return from a boating trip has been found safe.
“Shortly before 8 p.m. June 20, game wardens initiated a search for James W. Nadeau, 61, of Presque Isle, when he failed to return from a canoe trip on the Presque Isle Stream,” said John MacDonald, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Nadeau had been dropped off around noon near Burnt Land Brook in T10 R3 WELS and had planned to paddle to Presque Isle – a distance in excess of 15 miles.
“The plan was for him to be picked up at 2 p.m. When he failed to arrive as scheduled, family and friends searched the stream by boat. The incident was of particular concern since Nadeau is diabetic,” said MacDonald.
Wardens Alan Dudley and Kevin Pelkey began searching at the point where Nadeau began his trip, while Wardens Ethan Buuck and Ryan Fitzpatrick started working their way upstream from Presque Isle.
“The extremely low water conditions made paddling nearly impossible. The wardens were forced to drag their canoes much of the way and paddled when they were able,” MacDonald said.
At 11:14 p.m., Nadeau was located by Wardens Buuck and Fitzpatrick on the stream in Chapman.
“Nadeau was tired but in good spirits and said he was sorry to have caused ‘such a fuss,’” said MacDonald.
Acting Sgt. Jeff Spencer managed the incident.
