Police were seen scouring the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club most of the day Thursday, and CTV News has learned that the focus of their search was on a boat that belongs to the daughter-in-law of murdered businessman Richard Oland.

Things were quiet at the Millidgeville yacht club Friday but police had guarded the entrance Thursday, allowing only members to enter.

Witnesses at the yacht club say police scoured the grounds and divers searched the waters all day Thursday. They also told CTV that police examined a sailboat.

The boat's owner is listed as Lisa Ferguson - the daughter-in-law of Richard Oland - in the club's 2010 registry.

Police have remained tightlipped about their investigation into Oland's death. They confirmed their search at the club was part of an investigation but wouldn't say what they were looking for.

"I asked the police and they said it was a major crime unit doing something," says area resident Richard Tonge. "That's all they told me, everything was top secret."

They kept the search low-key, with only one uniformed officer guarding the entrance, and those searching the club in plain clothes. All search warrants have been sealed from public eyes.

"Oh, it was hidden," says Tonge of the search. "All I seen was one police in an unmarked car, and that's it. He sat there for four hours."

Although police won't confirm anything, the search is believed to be part of the investigation into Oland's death.

The prominent sailor and businessman was found dead in his Canterbury Street office in uptown Saint John on July 7.

Police still haven't said how he died but they do confirm Oland is the victim of a homicide and believe he knew his attacker.

"I would think it to be perfectly proper and normal and responsible for the police department not to release any information about anything they do while they're investigating a crime," says defence lawyer Martin Fineberg.

He believes that despite public curiousity, police are conducting their investigation exactly as they should be.

"Because this is a high-profile case, I would expect them to behave…in the manner in which they are – very tightlipped – because it's only proper," he says.

Police have conducted searches at several other locations, including the home of Oland's son Dennis Oland, and a wooded area in Rothesay.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Dina Bartolacci