RCMP officers located a trio of missing boaters in Paint Lake Provincial Park July 4 after searching by boat for more than six hours and travelling approximately 120 kilometres.

Police were informed that the boaters were missing at about 11:30 p.m. on July 3 after the two men and one woman failed to return from a trip on Paint Lake by the time that they were expected.

A Manitoba Conservation helicopter conducted an aerial search on the morning of July 4 but did not spot the boaters. The search was then taken over by two members of the RCMP "D" Division's North District Crime Reduction/Enforcement Support Team (CREST) using a police vessel.

The boaters were discovered uninjured and in good condition, telling police that they had been stranded for about 16 hours after running out of gas with no means of communication.

RCMP advise all boaters to tell family and friends the planned direction of travel and estimated return time before setting out and to ensure their boats are equipped with all required safety equipment, as well as sufficient fuel for the trip.