Divers were working to recover the body of a 63-year-old man who went underwater in American Lake after a boat took on water Tuesday.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin McCarty said two brothers in their 60s were testing the vessel after it underwent repairs, and it started to sink. 

Lakewood police said a 63-year-old man who decided to swim to shore, about 200 yards away, disappeared  under the water about 75 yards from shore. 

He had a flotation cushion when jumped off the boat, but the cushion slipped out of his hands and he went under, said Captain Jenny Weekes of West Pierce Fire & Rescue.

Boaters rescued the other man, who is 65 years old.

Chopper 7 video showed the boat mostly submerged, its bow up.  Crews were pulling it to shore.

"West Pierce divers and rescue swimmers and Lakewood Police’s Marine Service Officers were in the water actively searching for the victim for 45 minutes before fire department operations were ceased," Weekes said.

Lakewood police detectives are investigating the death.

Police said plans were being made to tow the boat to shore for an inspection.

There was no immediate information