Search continues for missing boater on Lake Michigan

LAKE MICHIGAN – Indiana Conservation officers continue their search for a missing boater. He has been identified at 20-year-old Kelvin Soto Crespo, of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.

Crespo has been missing since Saturday afternoon after the boat he occupied capsized in Lake Michigan near the East Chicago Marina.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., conservation officers responded to the boat unsure of how many occupants made it to safety, and found that three of the four occupants, who were able to put on life jackets, had done so. However Crespo was not found.

The boat involved, an approximate 18-foot Bayliner runabout has not been located. It was last seen capsized several miles offshore Saturday day afternoon.

Indiana Conservation Officers and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Aviation and Marine Units resumed the search Sunday morning.

Searches were conducted for several hours before wind and wave action forced the search to cease for the day.

Weather permitting, Indiana Conservation Officers and the Lake County Marine Unit will resume the search Monday morning.

If anyone spots the boat or any items that may be associated with this incident, they are asked to contact Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch Center at 812-837-9536.