Thursday, August 20, 2015

A crew from Coast Guard Station Marquette, Michigan rescued three people from Lake Superior after their 20-foot sailboat capsized





A capsized 20-foot sailing vessel floats in Lake Superior about 200 yards outside the breakwall near the Lower Harbor in Marquette, Mich., Aug. 19, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Smith)
Aug 20th, 2015 

SAULT STE. MARIE – A crew from Coast Guard Station Marquette, Michigan rescued three people from Lake Superior after their 20-foot sailboat capsized Wednesday.

Just before 6 p.m., the crew from Station Marquette received notification from Marquette County Central Dispatch of the capsized sailing vessel located approximately 200 yards outside the breakwall of Marquette’s Lower Harbor.

The boat crew launched aboard a 25-foot response boat, arrived on scene within minutes and recovered the three adults from the 65-degree water. Two of the individuals were wearing life jackets. There were no reports of any injuries or pollution.

The capsized sailboat was recovered by good Samaritans in another sailing vessel and then brought back into the harbor.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to be aware of the weather conditions before venturing out onto the water, and to wear your life jacket at all times.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times while you’re underway. It’s extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you’re in the water,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Henry Wilson, a member of the responding rescue crew and the coxswain on the boat.