Boat investigation ending

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Police said the incident "was an accident."

No charges are being sought.

Alcohol is not being considered a factor in the accident.

ESCANABA - Delta County Sheriff's Department officials are wrapping up their investigation of a fatal boating accident that occurred on Little Bay de Noc Monday night.

One person died in the incident.

A search party found the body of Glenn Godfrey, 43, Gladstone, in the bay Monday night after officials responded to a 10:20 p.m. emergency call regarding a capsized boat and two people overboard - Godfrey and Kyle Eaton, 26, Wells.

Gladstone resident Dale Bricker, 34, was the third passenger overboard on the 12-foot aluminum boat. He alerted police to the situation after he swam to shore at the North Shore Boat Launch and drove to Eaton's house to call 9-1-1.

Sheriff's department officials continue to wrap up the case, said Undersheriff Ed Oswald Tuesday afternoon, saying "It was an accident." No charges are being sought and alcohol is not being considered a factor in the incident, he added.

Oswald said he suspects having three men in the small 12-foot boat on the rough waters that night were factors contributing to the boating accident. The boaters had two paddles but there was no motor on the boat, he added.

After the boat capsized, both Bricker and Godfrey attempted to swim toward shore; Bricker made it to land but Godfrey was nowhere to be seen, Bricker told deputies.

The sheriff's department, Escanaba Public Safety and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary searched the area and found Godfrey's body in two feet of water between the mouth of the Escanaba River and the ore dock. He was later pronounced dead.

Eaton was located later when officials heard him yelling. He was wearing a life preserver and had tied himself to the overturned boat. Eaton was transported to the city marina and taken to OSF St. Francis Hospital by Rampart Ambulance. He was treated and released.