Coast Guard rescues 73-year-old man after sailboat runs aground on Lake Superior island
Sep 30, 2018 09:16AM ● By Editor
The U.S. Coast Guard finds a sailboat aground near Manitou Island. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.
By Tanda Gmiter of mlive.com - September 30, 2018
MANITOU ISLAND - A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew and rescue swimmer were able to reach a 73-year-old man whose sailboat ran aground early Saturday on Manitou Island, at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie staff received a mayday distress radio call around 5:30 a.m. from the vessel, which reportedly had run hard aground on the island's rocky coast.
"The helicopter deployed a rescue swimmer who assisted the distressed mariner and hoisted him to safety," the Coast Guard said. "The man was then transported to emergency services.
"Mariners are reminded to have operable electronic position indicating beacons, life jackets, distress flares, and VHF radios, and to inform friends or family of your float plan prior to departing on a voyage.
"A float plan includes where you are going, how long you will be gone, what you are doing, and when you expect to be back. This information is invaluable for search efforts in the case that you need assistance."
By Tanda Gmiter of mlive.com - September 30, 2018
MANITOU ISLAND - A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew and rescue swimmer were able to reach a 73-year-old man whose sailboat ran aground early Saturday on Manitou Island, at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie staff received a mayday distress radio call around 5:30 a.m. from the vessel, which reportedly had run hard aground on the island's rocky coast.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from Air Station Traverse City. By 8:35 a.m., the copter's crew was communicating with the stranded boater and soon located the boat.
"The helicopter deployed a rescue swimmer who assisted the distressed mariner and hoisted him to safety," the Coast Guard said. "The man was then transported to emergency services.
"Mariners are reminded to have operable electronic position indicating beacons, life jackets, distress flares, and VHF radios, and to inform friends or family of your float plan prior to departing on a voyage.
"A float plan includes where you are going, how long you will be gone, what you are doing, and when you expect to be back. This information is invaluable for search efforts in the case that you need assistance."
