Marine Patrol and Coast Guard search continues for missing kayaker in Lake Washington

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter provided aerial support during the search for a reported missing kayaker in the East Channel of Lake Washington off Mercer Island on Saturday.

February 12, 2011 11:49 pm
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter provides aerial support into the night during the search for a reported missing kayaker in the East Channel of Lake Washington off Mercer Island on Saturday.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter provides aerial support into the night during the search for a reported missing kayaker in the East Channel of Lake Washington off Mercer Island on Saturday.

According to Bellevue Police, a Bellevue resident may be the kayaker missing on Lake Washington.

In a release from the Bellevue Police Department, the kayaker, who is presumed to have drowned on Saturday, is 46-year-old Christopher Rominski.

Family members reported he was missing after he failed to return from a kayaking outing at Enatai Beach Park in Bellevue. Bellevue police contacted his family after finding his vehicle in the parking lot near the beach. Rominski’s family has identified the kayak.

Earlier on Saturday, an eye witness reported seeing a kayak roll over and the kayaker struggling in the water. The witness called 911 and Bellevue police and the Mercer Island Marine Patrol responded.

Crews searched into the dark on Saturday, assisted by a Coast Guard helicopter. The effort continued on Sunday and into Monday, but was called a recovery effort.

“This is a recovery situation now,” said Mercer Island Police Cmdr. Leslie Burns. “Survivability is low for anyone in the water due to the frigid water temperature, weather conditions and length of time in the water.”