Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Search Underway for Missing Sailboat from Chicago

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

August 19, 2003

Coast Guard units from both sides of Lake Michigan are conducting a search for the BALANCE, a 32-ft. sailboat, white with black trim, white sails and a smiley face on the mainsail. Aboard the BALANCE are Jay Rzechula, 43-years old from Oaklawn, Ill., and his four children Harley a 13-year old male, Margie a 12-year old female, Casey a 10-year old male and Abbey an 8-year old female. BALANCE was last heard from on August 11, when one of the children called home to speak with their mother. The boat was heading home to the Jackson Park Yacht Club from Mackinac Island. Coast Guard search and rescue boats and aircraft from both sides of the lake and a C-130 search plane from Clearwater, Fl., have been focusing their search between Manistee, Mich., and Chicago.