CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man was found dead in Lake Wylie after a boating accident that left crews searching for him on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to Sergeant William Laton with NC Wildlife Commission, the body of 45-year-old Jim Cook was found around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The search for Cook began on Tuesday in Lake Wylie near the Catawba Yacht Club with assistance from the Steele Creek Fire Department, Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police, Department of Natural Resources, and Medic.
Cook was last seen in a rowing-style boat, according to officials.
Crews searched the area until 10 p.m. Tuesday. Steele Creek Fire officials went back to the area Wednesday morning to continue searching for the missing person.
Steele Creek Fire officials asked boaters to use caution in the Youngblood Road West and Here at Last Lane area of Lake Wylie so they could safely conduct the search.
“We normally don’t see this kind of thing on Lake Wylie," a friend of the missing boater Tom Martin said. "It’s a good, safe lake."
Martin lives near where the incident occurred.
“[Cook was a] very smart guy, very disciplined, good athlete," Martin shared. "He raced sailboats."
Martin said they are both members of the Catawba Yacht Club, and Cook was no stranger to the lake.
“He’s very familiar with water sports,” Martin said.
“Unfortunately, these tragedies happen from time to time”, Sgt. Laton said.
Laton said accidents involving row boats are rare, but it serves as a reminder for everyone to be aware of their surroundings.
“We have to be aware of them and have to look out for them as well, there are not as maneuverable as a power engine," Laton said.
Laton added safety is the top priority, so everyone on the water should wear a life jacket, and boat operators should not drink and drive.
“This area is growing tremendously, we're seeing an increase in boating traffic and unfortunately an increase of inexperienced boaters," Laton said.
If you're a boat operator born after 1988, a boater safety and education course is required. The six-hour course is both online and in person. It's free.
Ron Wright, the sailing fleet captain at Catawba Yacht Club, told WCNC Charlotte's Lexi Wilson in an email that Cook was a racing sailor and a regular participant in the Catawba Yacht Club Racing program. According to the Catawba Yacht Club, Cook also raced at the national and world level and had won multiple championships.
Wright described him as a person who would always give back and enjoyed racing with his daughter.
The crash investigation is ongoing.
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