Jun 5th, 2016
MILWAUKEE — The Coast Guard rescued three people after their boat capsized in Lake Michigan, 11 miles east of Lake Forest, Illinois, Saturday. At approximately 11:45 a.m., a search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee received a call from the Lake Forest Police Department relaying a report that a vessel had capsized and three people were in the water approximately 11 miles east of Lake Forest in Lake Michigan.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Wilmette Harbor aboard a 25-foot response boat was conducting training in the area and was dispatched immediately.
The crew arrived on scene within a few minutes and rescued the three men.
The men were brought to the Coast Guard station where they declined emergency medical services and were released.
“Despite the distance from shore and severity of the incident, the fact that all three men demonstrated good boating safety habits by wearing their life jackets and staying with boat really made a difference and greatly increased their chances of survival,” said Cmdr. Carolyn Moberley, Sector Lake Michigan’s search and rescue coordinator.
“The strong relationship between Station Wilmette Harbor and local 911 dispatchers really contributed to this rescue being a success, as the local 911 center was able to triangulate the men’s position using their initial cell phone call,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Fischer, the coxswain aboard the 25-foot response boat. “That allowed us to get on scene as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The owner of the capsized vessel is arranging for salvage of the vessel and the Coast Guard will continue to issue safety information broadcasts to mariners warning them of the vessel until it is removed.