A 36-year-old is in police custody and facing a number of charges after placing a false emergency call.
RCMP said a call came in at around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday reporting a capsized boat on Lake Winnipeg near Gimli.
The caller said that there was as many as 16 people on board and 13 of them were in the water, said police.
Emergency personnel were dispatched, including RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard personnel and a Hercules aircraft.
RCMP said the boat was found by a coast guard member about 1 kilometre from the Winnipeg Beach Harbour with one man on board.
The distress call was determined to be a hoax and alcohol is considered a factor, said RCMP.
The investigation continues.
