Saint John police guarded the entrance to the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club Thursday, allowing only registered club members to pass through the gate.
Investigators were seen searching the grounds and the water for most of the day. Officers in plain clothes examined boats and other areas of the private club, but they wouldn't say exactly what they were looking for.
"The Saint John police force major crime unit is here conducting a search as part of an ongoing major crime investigation," Sgt. Glenn Hayward told CTV.
The search is suspected to be part of the investigation into the murder of prominent businessman Richard Oland, but police wouldn't comment on that.
The body of 69-year-old Richard Oland was discovered in his uptown office on Canterbury Street on July 7. Police have remained tight-lipped about the investigation into his death, but they do confirm he is a homicide victim and believe he knew his attacker.
Residents near the search site say Oland's death has been on people's minds. He was a skilled yachtsman and was well-known among those in the boating community.
"They're searching, you know, rumours are going around," said yacht club member Betty Ring. "It's sad; you don't know what's going on."
The Ring family lives across the street from the yacht club and they have been keeping an eye on the search.
"We have boats in there and I watched, next thing I know I saw divers," said Bob Ring. "I said ‘uh-oh' and brought Betty over. We just saw what was there, we know nothing."
Chris Tilley works next door to the club at a boating supply shop. He says the whole area is on high alert.
"To have the police search down here, it will be interesting to see if they find anything," he said.
Police searched the home of Dennis Oland, the son of Richard Oland, last week as well as a wooded area near a baseball field in Rothesay.
One news outlet reported that Oland had been struck in the back of the head with an axe, but police have not confirmed that.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dina Bartolacci
