A police search is underway for two kayakers who went missing Aug. 1, in Lake Michigan near Washington Island, according to the Washington Island Police Department.
Washington Island police were dispatched at 6:48 pm Aug. 1 to the area of Wickman Drive following a report that two people went out on kayaks, without life jackets, and had not returned. Officers initiated a water search, that included drone assistance, in collaboration with local fire departments, according to a department news release posted on Facebook.
The Washington Island Police Department did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment about the incident.
The United States Coast Guard was involved in water and ground searches Saturday night and early in the morning on Sunday, Aug. 2, but suspended their operations around 10:45 a.m. Aug. 2.
The Washington Island Fire Department is continuing search operations with the assistance of other regional fire and police departments.
One of the two kayakers is described as a 20-year-old-male with brown hair who is approximately 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, and was last seen wearing khaki shorts. The other is a 20-year-old female is described to be 5-foot-1, 95 pounds with brown hair, possibly wearing a teal or red/pink swimsuit.
Search operations will continue until further notice. No additional information was immediately available.
There have been at least 17 boat-related fatalities in Wisconsin in 2026, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources annual crash report. There were 8 recorded deaths in July, which is up from 4 in 2025 and 7 in 2024; 6 of the 8 fatalities stemmed from two boating accidents – one in Lake Geneva and the other in Lake Pepin.
It’s been confirmed that victims were not wearing life jackets in at least seven of the boat-related drownings so far this year, up three since previous reporting on the uptick in the number of fatal boat-related accidents in June.
The Aug. 1 incident comes about a month and half after a Pewaukee teen died from drowning in Okauchee Lake.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Search underway for kayakers who went missing in Door County
Reporting by Donnisa Edmonds, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Donnisa Edmonds, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
