A man is missing in Lake Erie after he attempted to rescue two boys that were caught in an outlet current near Luna Pier, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard and local police and rescue units are searching for Juan A. Layva, 34, of Detroit, with air and surface vessels. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is calling the incident an accidental drowning.

At 9:45 a.m., three people were reported in distress in Lake Erie near the J.R. Whiting Power Plant, which is south of Luna Pier. The two boys, ages 12 and 13, had been swept out into the lake by a current, and Mr. Layva, who is one of the boy’s father, swam out to them, according to a Coast Guard spokesman.

Mr. Layva and another man had brought their boys to Lake Erie to fish, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

The man went into distress, according to the spokesman, and told the boys to swim to shore. The LaSalle Fire Department rescued the boys and brought them to shore. They told first responders that they saw the man go under and not resurface.

Search and rescue efforts continue for Mr. Layva.

First Published September 7, 2014, 6:54 p.m.