File Photo โ€“ย Lake Forest Fire Department | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

An active search is underway for a sailor who went missing on Lake Michigan near Lake Forest and his boat was later found overturned Sunday afternoon.

The Lake Forest Fire Department and Lake Forest Police Department responded around 2:45 p.m. Sunday to the Lake Forest Harbor, 551 Lake Road, for a report of a water rescue.

The wife of a man called 911 to report she arrived at the boat launch to pick up her husband, according to fire department radio traffic.

The man was scheduled to have returned to the launch point at 2 p.m. but never returned. His trailer was still near the boat launch.

Fire department boats were launched onto Lake Michigan and a drone was also launched to aid in the effort.

The drone located the 15-foot catamaran five miles from shore south of the Lake Forest Harbor, according to fire department radio traffic.

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Multiple fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard were called to assist in the search for the man. The effort remains ongoing as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fire crews reported high waves were impeding the search efforts.

The National Weather Service issued a gale warning in effect until Monday morning for Lake Michigan off of the Illinois and Wisconsin shores.

The warning said high wind gusts and waves 7-10 feet were expected.

“Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions,” the warning said.