Rescuers search for missing fisherman in Pentwater River.

Rescuers search for missing fisherman in Pentwater River.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

WEARE TOWNSHIP — Rescuers are searching for a missing fisherman in the Pentwater River after another fisherman found a boat in the cattail swamp with its motor idling Monday, April 6, around 5 p.m., said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

The missing man, who the boat is registered to, is described as a man from Hart who is in his 70s. The man’s black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck is parked at the River Barn Boat Launch.

The flat-bottom river boat was found half full of water, Sheriff Mast said.

A US Coast Guard helicopter was circling the area, and several firefighters from Hart and Pentwater departments were searching along both sides of the river on foot. Divers also began searching for the man. The Department of Natural Resources and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office had boats searching, and one of the vessels is equipped with a side scan sonar, Mast said.

The missing man is described as being approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Responding to the scene are Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, DNR, Life EMS, Pentwater Police Department, Hart Fire Department, Pentwater Fire Department and the US Coast Guard.

More information will be provided when it is available.

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