Image: Still from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City & US Coast Guard Great Lakes video

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 19, 2025

The U.S. Coast Guard has shared a video of the rescue of four girls off Black Beach in Silver Bay, Minnesota. The incident took place on the evening of August 16 when the girls, aged 8, 10, 13, and 14, became stranded when their paddleboard paddles were lost. Multiple agencies were involved in the coordinated effort to ensure the safety of the girls. 

According to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued August 18, a call was received at 8:05 p.m. reporting that the girls, who are daughters of the reporting party, had paddled to the smaller of two islands near Black Beach and were unable to return. Their paddles had been lost while they were on the island, leaving them stranded.

The Silver Bay Police Department was the first to respond to the beach area to contact the girls' parents, while Lake County Sheriff Deputies headed to the Silver Bay Marina. Due to large waves, the Silver Bay Marina Manager, Mike Ettel, used his former U.S. Coast Guard watercraft to transport deputies to the island. Upon arrival, deputies were able to establish visual contact with the girls and instructed them to remain in place.

According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, as the rescue effort continued into the night, concerns grew for the girls, who were reportedly only wearing swimsuits. The Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) was requested for assistance but was unable to respond due to weather conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) agreed to send a helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan.

Before the helicopter arrived, Lake County Search and Rescue set up a rope relay from the larger island to the smaller one. This enabled rescue members to transfer blankets and food. 

A press release from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City confirmed that a helicopter crew was dispatched at approximately 9 p.m. to the location near the Black Beach Trailhead. Petty Officer 3rd Class Lorenzo Giambanco, an aviation maintenance technician, was part of the crew on his first rescue. He successfully hoisted all four individuals from the island. "This successful rescue highlights the critical importance of interagency coordination and the rapid response capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard," said Lt. j.g. Patrick Grissler, Aircraft Commander. "We are grateful for the collaboration with Lake County and are pleased to have safely assisted these individuals."

The USCG helicopter arrived at approximately 1:00 a.m. and transported the four girls to a landing zone established by the Silver Bay Fire Department in a local business park. They were then safely reunited with their parents.

Agencies involved in the rescue included the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Rescue Squad, Silver Bay Police Department, Silver Bay Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Silver Bay Marina Manager.

Video: Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City & US Coast Guard Great Lakes