The witness, who reported this, said that he observed (on monday 8-16) a sailboat paralleling close to teh shore coming from the south.  The sails were in disarray and was under motor power.  The operator of the sailbot made several attempts to turn out away from shore but was blown back to the beach.  The vessel washed up on shore and the operator got out of the boat and on to shore.  He identified himself from Wisconsin and he thought he had ran out of gas.  The witness said he was quiet but did not appear to have any other problems.  The operator was too tired to climb the dune so he started walking to the north.

On Thursday 8-19, the USCG requested assistance from the Leelanau County Marine Patrol to confirm the location of the craft as there were no USCG vessels available.  The craft was found and appeared abandoned with a great deal of personal belongings and equipment on board.  It was completely out of the water.  Everythings seemed in place and in tact.  No breaches in teh hull seemed evident.

Attempts were made to contact the Operator/Owner without success.   However, contact was made with the operator/owner's mother, who tried to call him on his cell phone, also without success.  She indicated he did not know anyone in Michigan but he was looking for work wherever he was at the time and it is possible that he would do that in Michigan.  She also indicated that her son's intention was to sail the vessel from Wisconsin, through New York, the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, and the Pacific Ocean to Washington State.
As of 8-21-2010, the owner/operator's whereabouts are unknown adn attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.
Glen Arbor Township           