The search for a missing 18-year-old swimmer resumed Friday at the main beach in Port Stanley.
Two OPP marine vessels, one fire services marine vessel, divers from the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit and an OPP helicopter have joined the search, which is now considered a recovery mission.
The frantic search began around 3:50pm on Thursday, emergency crews responded to the area at the end of William St. after receiving a call about two swimmers who were in distress.
A 19-year-old woman was able to make it to shore with assistance from life guards. However, an 18-year-old man failed to return from the extremely rough waters.
A red beach warning flag was posted at the time, which indicates dangerous swimming conditions.
"The flags were flying on the lifegaurd stands warning people to stay out of the water," Sgt. Dave Rektor said in a Periscope video from the beach on Friday. "Those warnings need to be taken very seriously. We can't physically force people to stay out of the water and when you enter into choppy water you do so at your own risk."
Search efforts were suspended overnight but rescue crews returned to the cold, choppy water Friday morning conducting line and grid searches.
A portion of the main beach, near the pier, remains cordoned off for the search.