WILLARD, Box Elder — A search is underway at Willard Bay Reservoir for a 27-year-old man who went missing after a Jet Ski incident Saturday evening.
Search operations and agencies involved
Officials said crews are using boats, aircraft and underwater technology as multiple agencies work to locate him. The Utah Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement is leading the effort with help from Box Elder County Search and Rescue and Weber County Search and Rescue.
Details of the Jet Ski accident
Investigators said three people were riding a Jet Ski about a mile south of Pelican Beach when all three ended up in the water. Officials said only one of them was wearing a life jacket.
“There were three people on a Jet Ski. Two were not wearing life jackets. They were about a mile south of Pelican Beach and all three ended up in the water. Two were able to get back to the Jet Ski and one was not,” said Sgt. Trent Currie with the Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement.
Depth information and search technology
The missing man is 27 years old. Officials estimate the water in that area is between 12 and 15 feet deep.
Crews are now using sonar and underwater drones to search the reservoir in a grid pattern.
“We have an underwater drone team basically we’re working a grid pattern and search with sonar for the individual underneath the water,” Currie said.
Aerial and water search efforts
Search efforts are also taking place from the air and on the water. Officials said crews will remain on scene until the man is found.
Boating safety regulations and reminders
Authorities are also using the incident to remind boaters about safety on Utah’s waterways. State law requires one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on board, and officials note anything that floats is considered a boat under Utah law. Children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket, along with anyone on a personal watercraft or in designated areas.
“The most important thing to do is wear your life jackets. 80% of boating accidents, if they were wearing their life jackets they would’ve survived,” Currie said.
Utah also offers a free life jacket loaner program at many recreation areas.
Officials said search efforts will continue as crews work to locate the missing man.
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