Operator/victim of vessel #1, passenger and her 2 sons were en route to Sterling State Park for fireworks display from Swan Creek Boat Club. Operator stopped the boat so that Operator’s son  could go into the water. He started to drift out of reach because the boat was not anchored. Operator who was not wearing a life jacket at the time jumped in the water to get him, but due to the waves, was unable to get back to the boat with the child. He yelled to occupant to start the boat and come to them, but she was unable to start the boat. Operator shouted to Wife that his shoulder was hurting from an old back injury and he was no longer able swim. Wife called 911 and was able to get the attention of another boater in the area. The boater pulled Operator’s son from the water but was unable to locate Operator who had disappeared under the water. Dive teams from Monroe County and Wayne County searched for Operator for two days with no success. Operator's body was located 7/6/2013 by a Monroe County Aviation Pilot along the Lake Erie shore line near the Village of Estral Beach. No other injuries were reported and no damages were reported.
Berlin Twp