DETROIT – After searching over 15 hours the Coast Guard is suspending its search for a 42-year-old man from Tecumseh, Mich. who is missing after reportedly falling off his boat near Bolles Harbor, western Lake Erie.
The man and a passenger were fishing at the time of the accident. The case was reported by the sole passenger on the boat moments after the man fell overboard. Coast Guard Station Toledo received the call via Monroe County 911 Dispatcher at approximately 7:00 p.m. last night. The victim was not wearing a life jacket and remains missing.
The Coast Guard suspended the search at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning after searching 430 square miles of Western Lake Erie.
Coast Guard Air Station Detroit’s HH-65 Dolphin helicopter as well as Coast Guard Station Toledo’s 41-foot motor life boat and two 25-foot response boats participated in the search. The Coast Guard also coordinated efforts with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Marine Division and Aviation Unit, Monroe County Fire Department, Toledo Fire Department and South Shore Towing before suspending the search.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Dive Team will continue to search where the victim initially entered the water. Coast Guard Station Toledo will support the dive team as necessary.
Coast Guard Sector Detroit reminds the boating public to heed all broadcasted weather warnings during impending storms. People on the water should exercise caution, wear properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD/life-jacket), tell a family member or friend where they are going and when they will return, and have a reliable means of communication.
Coast Guard Sector Detroit directly oversees all Coast Guard missions from Alpena, Mich. to Vermilion, Ohio on Lake Huron, the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, Lake St. Clair and Western Lake Erie.
