The search for a missing boater in the "playpen" area of Lake Michigan along Chicago's lakefront was halted on Saturday evening, authorities said.
At around 4:23 p.m., Chicago police responded to the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive after a 58-year-old man fell off a boat and into the lake, police said. Dive crews spent hours searching the waters but suspended their efforts by nightfall.
The several-hour-long search was one of three boating incidents Chicago rescue crews responded to on Saturday.
Amid the hot weather and heavy boating activity, Dave Benjamin with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue project is reminding boaters to avoid alcohol and to make sure they wear life jackets.
"The water is still pretty cold. Cold water can incapacitate a person’s swimming ability, especially jumping from the boat and haven’t tested the waters yet," he said.
In the coming weeks, boaters and beachgoers should expect plenty of boat traffic on the lake - plus soaring hot weather and strong winds. Benjamin explained the number of drownings typically rise when the four "Ws" are present - warm, wind, waves and weekend.
Information about the other water-related incidents on Saturday wasn't immediately available.
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