ATLANTIC

Cape Breton man arrested in connection with missing boater

CTV Atlantic Published Thursday, June 6, 2013 2:38PM ADT Last Updated Thursday, June 6, 2013 2:45PM ADT

RCMP divers search for the body of Phillip Joseph Boudreau, whose boat was found overturned at the mouth of the Petit-de-Grat harbour in June 2013.

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RCMP in Cape Breton say they have made an arrest in the connection with the disappearance of a boater.

Police arrested a 40-year-old Petit-de-Grat man on Thursday. Charges have not been laid at this time.

Investigators say Phillip Joseph Boudreau was last seen Saturday morning at approximately 6 a.m. His boat was spotted overturned near the wharf in Petit-de-Grat harbor around 7:30 a.m.

Divers and search crews have been scouring the area for the 43-year-old man since the weekend.

Police say their search is now a recovery mission, as the length of time someone could survive in water so cold has long since elapsed.

The RCMP’s major crime unit has been called in to investigate reports of an alleged altercation involving a large fishing vessel and Boudreau's boat before he disappeared.

Earlier this week, police seized the fishing boat they believe may have been involved in the dispute with Boudreau. It is now under RCMP guard at a wharf in nearby Arichat.