Police search Oakville waters for missing 80-year-old man described as ‘experienced’ boater

The search for a missing boater in Oakville is underway and is expected to continue through the day, according to a Halton Regional Police release Friday morning.

Members of the police's marine units began the search Thursday night when they noticed an empty vessel that appeared to be adrift near the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek near Lakeside Park while a storm was moving through the area.

Following an investigation, it was determined that the vessel was purchased earlier in the day. The man who purchased the vessel was believed to have boarded the vessel alone and left Bronte Harbor at about 12:30 p.m.

Robert Wyles, the missing 80-year-old man who doesn't reside in Halton, has been described as an experienced boater.

An overnight search was conducted with the help of Peel and Hamilton Police marine units along with TOWARF marine rescue and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), the release says. Authorities used flares to enhance visibility during the night search.

Halton police officers also conducted searches along the shores of Lake Ontario from 16 Mile Creek Area near Trafalgar Road to Bronte Harbor near Burloak Drive, while JRCC assumed command on the water search.

Police are requesting residents with shoreline property within this area to check their shorelines for this missing person.