(Arnolds Park)– A barge used to install and remove docks and two people on board are missing on West Lake Okoboji.
Dickinson County Sheriff Greg Baloun says the last they were heard from was shortly before 4:30 p.m. Saturday when the barge operator called a friend via cell phone stating they were having problems and the barge was taking on water. The barge had last been seen off of Miller’s Bay, roughly in the middle of the lake. A gusty wind was blowing out of the northwest at the time and the lake was said to be very choppy in that area.
The people on board are identified as 31-year-old Matthew Molachek and 12-year-old Colin Helmers…both of Estherville. The barge is owned by Donaldson Docks, Incorporated of Estherville. It’s about 28-feet long and is shaped like a horseshoe. It’s turquoise in color with a white counsel with an inboard/outboard motor.
An extensive search has been underway since late Saturday afternoon–shortly after the barge was reported missing. The Okoboji Underwater Search and Rescue Team has been utilizing sonar equipment, but spokesman Mark Peterson says as of late this (Sunday) morning they weren’t able to come up with anything.
Some debris from items possibly on board the barge has been found in roughly the same area from where it was last seen.
Dive teams from several other areas, including Mason City, have been called in to assist. An aerial search has been unsuccessful as well.
The search so far has been heavily concentrated on an area between Miller’s Bay and Gull Point. Peterson says the depth in that area ranges anywhere from 50 feet to 120 feet.
Anyone finding any debris is asked to NOT disturb it and contact the Dickinson County Communications Center at 336-2525.
