Search for missing boater enters 4th day

FISH CREEK, Wis. (WBAY) - Search efforts for a missing boater continue on the Bay of Green Bay.

Law enforcement agencies are now on their fourth day of searching for 32-year-old Bill Salnik.

Crews found the bodies of two young children sailing with him. The chief deputy says the 3- and 5-year-old children were wearing lifejackets when they were found late Monday morning.

On Wednesday, the children were identified as 5-year-old Charlotte M. Salnik and 3-year-old Joshua F. Salnik. The children were found together.

Search efforts continue in an attempt to locate their father. Drone searches are being done Wednesday on the waters of Green Bay. Marine searches with K-9 assistance are planned for Thursday and there are no plans to suspend search operations at this time.

This incident remains under investigation.

“Statistically, from what I’m told, with the water temperature your survivability is up to 121 hours [about 5 days] and we’re still within that window. So, I mean, we’re not giving up hope until absolutely necessary,” Chief Deputy Patrick McCarty said.

As we’ve reported, Salnik went sailing from Oconto with his children Saturday in an 18-foot sailboat before storms hit the area.

A search of the Bay of Green Bay started Sunday afternoon after they never returned, phone calls went straight to voicemail, and their truck and trailer were found at the boat landing.

The sailboat was found south of Chambers Island. The children were found in that area five hours later.

McCarty said his team is in contact with Marinette and Oconto counties as the search of the Bay of Green Bay brings them into different areas.

McCarty added he’s grateful for the kindness some people are showing during this difficult situation.

“Our community support has been very positive. This is a difficult situation for everybody. A lot of the deputies involved in the search and recovery have young children, so it’s stressful for them as well, so we’re making sure we’re taking care of staff as well,” McCarty said.

At this time, searches will continue as long as weather and water conditions make it safe to do so.

Action 2 News will continue following these searches as crews hope to find Salnik as quickly as possible.