Search operations for the two missing boaters in Lake Michigan have resumed on Saturday morning, according to local officials. The incident occurred on Friday in northwest Indiana when two men went missing while out on the lake. The search was halted on Friday evening due to the onset of nightfall and challenging weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves.
The two men were part of a group of ten individuals, both adults and juveniles, who were on a boat approximately two and a half miles off Whiting on Lake Michigan around 2:30 p.m. According to Fox 32 Chicago, one of the men jumped off the boat to swim but began to struggle. The group attempted to move the boat closer to him but was unable to reach him due to the adverse weather conditions. Subsequently, a second man also jumped into the water to assist the first swimmer but encountered difficulties as well. A third man wearing a life jacket then entered the water but became separated from the other two individuals.
The man with the life jacket was rescued by the Coast Guard around 4:30 p.m. and was taken to a hospital for mild hypothermia before being released. The missing men are identified as residents of Elk Grove Village and Mount Prospect. Search efforts involve multiple agencies, including the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the Hammond Fire Department, the Hammond Police Department, and the Hammond Port Authority.
Furthermore, on the same day, a man and a teenage girl were rescued from Lake Michigan at Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Park, about 45 miles northwest of Grand Rapids. The teenager was initially unresponsive but became responsive later on. The man was eventually located and brought to shore, where CPR was administered. Reports indicate that he is in serious condition.
In a separate incident on Thursday, the Coast Guard rescued two children and two adults off Galveston, Texas, after their vessel capsized. The four individuals were found clinging to the overturned boat, with the children wearing life jackets while the adults were not. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and all four were safely brought ashore.
As search operations continue for the missing boaters in Lake Michigan, authorities are urging boaters to prioritize safety and be aware of weather conditions before heading out on the water. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
