A multi-agency search was underway Thursday evening after a vessel on Lake Michigan broadcast a mayday call around 6 p.m., triggering an urgent response on the water and along the shoreline. Crews focused their efforts roughly two miles northwest of Indiana Dunes National Park as boats swept the area and teams moved along the beach.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources police said their officers were working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Indiana Dunes National Park rangers, and Porter County sheriff and fire departments to look for the vessel, and that no contact had been made with the boat since the original call, according to NBC Chicago. The station reports that the mayday was sent over marine radio and prompted an immediate coordinated response. Authorities did not release any additional information about the vessel or the people believed to be on board.
Anyone with information was asked to contact authorities at 812-837-9536. That number connects to the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement central dispatch, according to the department's contact page.
Who’s Searching
Indiana DNR police led the effort alongside U.S. Coast Guard units, Indiana Dunes National Park rangers, and Porter County sheriff and fire crews, with multiple local agencies staging onshore to assist, according to NBC Chicago. Search teams concentrated operations in the offshore area identified by authorities and coordinated shoreline coverage where conditions allowed.
Conditions and Context
Lake Michigan is known for rapidly changing waves and currents that can catch even experienced boaters off guard. The National Weather Service regularly issues Beach Hazard Statements and Small Craft Advisories for the region when conditions turn dangerous, as the Chicago office's forecast discussions note, National Weather Service. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which tracks drownings across the lakes, reports that Lake Michigan has already accounted for multiple fatalities this season, underscoring how serious open-lake incidents can be (GLSRP).
Boating Safety Reminders
Safety groups and the Coast Guard Auxiliary continue to press the basics: wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, file a float plan so someone knows where you are headed, and check marine advisories before launching. Local reporting and safety partners highlight those core steps for anyone heading out on the water (9&10 News). Authorities also ask anyone with footage, radio logs, or other information from the area to preserve that material and share it with investigators.
