MIPD Marine Patrol helps search for missing man on lake
Published 8:30 pm Sunday, August 2, 2026
As of the evening of Aug. 2, a 19-year-old male remains missing after response agencies believe he fell or entered Lake Washington from a recreational boat on July 31, according to the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD).
At approximately 10:40 p.m. on July 31, MIPD’s Marine Patrol unit immediately responded to the scene and utilized forward-looking infrared, spotlights and thermal-imaging drones. The unit received assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Police Harbor Patrol, Clyde Hill Police Department’s drone unit, Bellevue Fire Department, Eastside Fire & Rescue and land-based patrol units.
MIPD Commander Jeff Magnan said the man hadn’t contacted family or friends at press time.
“Investigative wise, we are gathering cell phone data in attempts to narrow down the search area. We will be using sonar equipment to search the lake bottom,” he said.
Response agencies are searching for the man within an approximately 10-square-mile area that includes the waters surrounding the Interstate 90 floating bridge. About two hours after the first night’s search commenced, darkness and operational considerations caused the search to be suspended. Search operations resumed during daylight hours.
MIPD said in a press release that the preliminary investigation notes that the vessel and its occupants were on the lake during the Seafair airshow and hydroplane races and later departed the log boom area between Seattle and Mercer Island.
As the departure began and the vessel was possibly traveling at planing speed, the man reportedly told his fellow occupants that he needed to use the restroom.
“When the vessel reached the east high-rise portion of the Interstate 90 floating bridge and slowed due to the restricted speed zone, the occupants realized the 19-year-old was no longer on board,” reads the press release.
After searching for approximately five minutes, the boat occupants phoned 911 and the MIPD Marine Patrol unit was on its way.
