Authorities are continuing the search for a 19-year-old man who is believed to have fallen from a boat on Lake Washington late Friday following a day of Seafair festivities.
The teen, whose identity has not been released at his family’s request, disappeared while the boat was traveling away from the log boom area between Seattle and Mercer Island. Multiple agencies joined the overnight search, but he had not been located as of Saturday.
Incident
According to the Mercer Island Police Department, the teen spent much of Friday aboard a boat watching the Seafair air show and hydroplane races.
As the boat left the log boom area and accelerated to planing speed, he reportedly told the other passengers that he needed to use the restroom.
When the vessel slowed after passing the Interstate 90 floating bridge, those onboard realized he was no longer on the boat.
After searching for about five minutes, the passengers called 911 at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Search
Mercer Island Police Marine Patrol officers began an extensive search shortly after receiving the emergency call.
Search teams used several resources, including:
- Infrared night vision equipment
- Spotlights
- Thermal-imaging drones
- Marine patrol vessels
Additional agencies assisting in the search included:
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| U.S. Coast Guard | Search operations |
| Seattle Police Harbor Patrol | Marine assistance |
| Bellevue Fire Department | Search support |
| Eastside Fire & Rescue | Search assistance |
| Clyde Hill Police Department Drone Unit | Aerial search |
The overnight search concluded around 12:30 a.m. before resuming Saturday morning.
Investigation
Authorities searched an area covering approximately 10 square miles of Lake Washington.
At around 10 a.m. Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced it had suspended its active search efforts.
Mercer Island Police Acting Chief Jeff Magnan said the investigation remained active, but the teen had not been found.
Because the incident occurred late at night, investigators do not expect many independent witnesses beyond those aboard the boat.
Police have already interviewed the boat’s occupants.
Safety
As thousands of people continued enjoying Seafair activities on Saturday, Lake Washington remained crowded with recreational boaters.
Chief Magnan reminded boaters to exercise caution, especially during one of the busiest weekends on the lake.
He encouraged groups to designate a sober boat operator before heading onto the water and to remain alert while navigating after dark.
Seafair
According to Magnan, boating traffic during Seafair creates conditions that can be challenging even for experienced operators.
He noted that many first-time boaters take to the water during the annual event, increasing congestion and potential safety risks.
“The lake is a lot busier than it normally is. It always is for Seafair,” Magnan said. “There’s always a stockpile of new boaters who have never experienced this. It can be overwhelming.”
Authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident while search efforts remain focused on locating the missing 19-year-old. Officials are also reminding boaters to prioritize safety, particularly during large public events that bring increased traffic to Lake Washington.
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