http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2010/08/11/news/doc4c6236c2a192e815342420.txt
Search for missing boater to resume today
By DAVID BELL
Today's News-Herald
Published Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:51 PM MST
The search for a missing boater believed drowned was suspended due to darkness Tuesday.San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Tim Smith said the search for Joseph Harry Hetherington, 62, of Huntington Beach, Calif., will resume this morning.
“The victim was boating with family north of Grass Island, approximately 200 yards off shore. He shut off the boat and jumped into water,” Smith said. “The wind kicked up slightly and drifted the boat away from the swimmer. He shouted at the juveniles (on board) for help and to bring the boat to him but they didn’t know to operate it. He became distressed and was last seen about 100 yards off shore when he disappeared from sight.”
The call came in at 6:42 p.m. and the Lake Havasu City Police Department boating unit was the first on scene. SBCSD marine unit officers gathered the family and assumed command, establishing an area search.
In addition to LHCPD, Lake Havasu City Fire Boat and three units from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office marine unit, including the 38-foot Munson Command Boat, assisted.
“The Munson has a good upper tier that provides excellent visibility into the lake. So we used that until the sun went down,” said MCSO Sgt. Doug Schuster. “We will coordinate with San Bernardino in the morning. We will make our sonar unit available and assist any way we can.”
Good Samaritans took control of the boat, a 24-foot tritoon with two bimini tops, and brought it to the Nautical Inn in Lake Havasu City.
The search was terminated at 8 p.m. and will resume at 7 a.m. today. Smith said SBCSD divers will also participate in the search, as well as the SBCSD sonar unit.
Search for missing boater to resume today
By DAVID BELL
Today's News-Herald
Published Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:51 PM MST
The search for a missing boater believed drowned was suspended due to darkness Tuesday.San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Tim Smith said the search for Joseph Harry Hetherington, 62, of Huntington Beach, Calif., will resume this morning.
“The victim was boating with family north of Grass Island, approximately 200 yards off shore. He shut off the boat and jumped into water,” Smith said. “The wind kicked up slightly and drifted the boat away from the swimmer. He shouted at the juveniles (on board) for help and to bring the boat to him but they didn’t know to operate it. He became distressed and was last seen about 100 yards off shore when he disappeared from sight.”
The call came in at 6:42 p.m. and the Lake Havasu City Police Department boating unit was the first on scene. SBCSD marine unit officers gathered the family and assumed command, establishing an area search.
In addition to LHCPD, Lake Havasu City Fire Boat and three units from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office marine unit, including the 38-foot Munson Command Boat, assisted.
“The Munson has a good upper tier that provides excellent visibility into the lake. So we used that until the sun went down,” said MCSO Sgt. Doug Schuster. “We will coordinate with San Bernardino in the morning. We will make our sonar unit available and assist any way we can.”
Good Samaritans took control of the boat, a 24-foot tritoon with two bimini tops, and brought it to the Nautical Inn in Lake Havasu City.
The search was terminated at 8 p.m. and will resume at 7 a.m. today. Smith said SBCSD divers will also participate in the search, as well as the SBCSD sonar unit.