GREEN BAY (NBC 26) – First responders rescued a windsurfer stranded in Green Bay and returned him to his family.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that two brothers left Communiversity Park at 4 p.m. on Sunday for a few hours to go windsurfing. They were supposed to return around 7 p.m. but didn’t come back, and their friends went looking for them on jet skis. They found one of the brothers, but not the other.
Officials say the Coast Guard, Brown County Marine Unit, Wisconsin DNR, Green Bay Fire Department marine and drone units, Green Bay Police Department marine unit and UW-Green Bay officials were called to assist in the search. First responders utilized boats, drones and a Coast Guard helicopter.
Officials said the helicopter found the missing man sitting on his sailboat at around 10:40 p.m. The man was rescued and returned to a boat dock where he was reunited with his family. He was wearing a life jacket and was uninjured.
Deputies said wind conditions changed while the surfers were in the bay, making it difficult for them to navigate back to land.
“The Brown County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind water sports enthusiasts to always be mindful of their safety. Inform someone of your plans, wear your life jacket, monitor weather conditions and carry an emergency communication device,” officials said in the release.
