Berlin Township (WWJ) -- The Monroe County Sheriff's Department, along with the U.S Coast Guard and other agencies, was looking for a missing boater Tuesday morning.
Police said that 65-year old Allan Socall and 68-year old James Schnurstein, both of Plymouth, went boating Monday on Lake Erie near the Pointe Mouille State Game Area in Berlin Township.
The pair dropped anchor and went swimming, but around 2:45 p.m., the anchor gave way and the boat began to drift. Socall swam toward the drifting boat but disappeared, as did the boat. Schnurstein was able to swim safely to shore.
Charlie Pike of Trenton has his kayak out at the Lake Erie Metropark to take a beautiful morning on the water. He says to be out on this lake, you have to be ready.
"I check the weather, I don't go out if thge wind is over 15 knots, I stay close to shore in a populated area so if I have trouble I can get help," Pike told WWJ Newsradio 950's Ron Dewey.
Pike says there's at least one boating accident every summer along the waterways which could be prevented.
"People don't take boating safety classes, they don't wear life jackets or carry safety equipment and they don't check the condition of their boat to make sure they don't have any problems ahead of time."
WWJ also spoke with Jim Napier and Lee Baynert, out fishing Tuesday morning on Lake Erie. They say they are well aware of the conditions that can make a fun outing on the water frught with danger. "The current's too fast to swimming from your boat, too many things can happen," said Napier.
They say the recent incidents on Lake Erie have made them double check their own gear and how they go about their business on the water. "You have to be aware of what's around you," Baynert said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at (734) 243-7070.
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