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Boater Drowns During Rescue Attempt On Way Home From Jobbie Nooner

HARRISON TWP. (WWJ) - Authorities have recovered the body of a boater who disappeared while trying to save a man who went overboard on their way home from Jobbie Nooner.

The Macomb County Marine Division responded to a distress call around 8 p.m. Friday from a boat just east of Lake St. Clair Metro Park. The caller stated that 45-year-old Virdest Orlando Day, of Redford Township, had disappeared after jumping in the water to help another passenger who went overboard, and had not been seen for 10 minutes.

Jobbie Nooner
Jobbie Nooner 2017 (Aerial photo: Lance Howard)

According to police, the group of seven was returning from Jobbie Nooner on Gull Island -- rumored to be the largest boat party in the Midwest -- in a 26 foot Crownline cabin cruiser when one of the passengers fell into the water; that man was not wearing a life jacket.

Day went into the water to help the first passenger. Although he was wearing a life jacket, it was not secured and came off when Day hit the water.

A third passenger jumped into the water in attempt to help the first two. The others onboard were able to help the first and third man back onto the boat, but they lost sight of Day. After several minutes, the caller used his marine radio to request help.

The search, which involved Customs Border Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard, continued through the night and into morning. Around 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Day's body was located approximately 300 feet south of Huron Pointe off of Lake St. Clair Metro Park in seven feet of water.

The incident remains under investigation. Police say no foul play is suspected.

It's unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest. 

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