WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- A man is missing after an apparent drowning in Lake Whatcom yesterday afternoon.  

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputy George Radicheck says the 38-year-old man was swimming back to his boat when passengers on the boat say he began struggling and calling for help.

The man went underwater and did not resurface.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and South Whatcom Fire Authority responded immediately and began searching for the swimmer without success.



Radicheck says at 1:15 a number of other agencies began a cooperative effort to search for the man that was again unsuccessful. 

He says the man was described as an excellent swimmer however he was not wearing a life-jacket at the time of the incident.

His name is not being released pending notification of family.

Radicheck says a limited search will continue today.