A boater is missing in Lake Michigan, Lake Forest fire officials said Sunday.
The missing person, who had been sailing on a 15-foot catamaran-style sailboat, had been expected to meet a family member at a boat dock at 2 p.m. Sunday but never arrived, Lake Forest fire officials said. About 45 minutes later, Lake Forest Fire Department crews, along with the Highland Park and Libertyville fire departments, started searching with a rescue boat and drone. Searchers found the boat, but the occupant wasn’t onboard.
Wilmette and Evanston fire departments joined the search with rescue boats after it was discovered the missing boater’s phone had pinged closer to Glencoe Beach, Lake Forest fire officials said.
As water conditions worsened, with waves reaching up to 6 feet, a U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter were brought in to help with the search, which was called off at 5:30 p.m. The helicopters continued searching.
A family member of the missing boater said they had not been wearing a personal flotation device.