Deputies Resume Search For Missing Boater

May 17, 2025
Sheriff's Office

Madison, WI.  05/17/2025 – Dane County Sheriff’s Office Marine & Trail Enforcement (MATE), with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have resumed their search for a missing boater. 

The initial incident was reported after 8PM on Friday, May 16, 2025.  Madison Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call for assistance, in which a party of four boaters had a sailboat capsize in the high winds.  One person drifted to shore on the overturned sailing vessel, three others remained with a kayak.  Two of the three people clinging to the kayak were rescued, and the fourth person, who was without a life jacket, is still missing.  Search and rescue efforts were halted shortly after 12am earlier this morning, 05/17/2025, resumed around 9am, and are currently ongoing.