CLEVELAND -- The Coast Guard rescued two people from a pontoon boat in distress near Cedar Point Marina Friday evening.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Detroit received a report from a good Samaritan at 5 p.m. that the boat was taking on water in four- to six-foot seas just east of the Cedar Point breakwall.
There is no Coast Guard imagery available and the Coast Guard is not releasing names of the people rescued.
A rescue crew from Station Marblehead launched aboard a 45-foot rescue boat and arrived 13 minutes later. The rescue boat's coxswain, Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Nekoloff, helped bring the boaters, who appeared to be in good health, aboard the rescue boat. The crew dropped the boaters off at Cedar Point Marina.
The pontoon boat washed ashore later on Cedar Point Beach and Lake Erie Towing responded to salvage the vessel.
“The individuals were not wearing life jackets and did not have any on board,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Janowiec, officer of the day at Station Marblehead. “I can’t stress enough the importance of wearing a life jacket when you are on the water.”
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always have a plan whenever they are going out on the water. Boaters should also always take into account the current weather and possible changing conditions, especially as the seasons are changing. Boaters should also make sure to let someone know where they are going and when they are coming back.