SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — A boat crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw came to the aid of a boater in distress on Lake Michigan Tuesday.
The Coast Guard is not releasing the person's name.
At about 11:25 a.m., a watchstander at the Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie command center received a call over channel 16 from the owner of a 16-foot commercial fishing vessel stating his boat was disabled and adrift about three miles northwest of Cross Village, Michigan. The owner, a 34-year-old man, stated the boat was also taking on a small amount of water.
Sector Sault Ste. Marie issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station St. Ignace, which trailered their smallboat to the location shore side. The Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, which was conducting aids to navigation operations about 20 miles from the scene, was diverted. In addition, a Tribal Conservation officer was dispatched to the area shore side.
At about 1:30 p.m., the Mackinaw arrived on scene, and shortly after a boat crew was launched aboard the cutter's small boat. The crew took the man and his disabled vessel in side tow to the Cross Village Boat Ramp where Station St. Ignace and Tribal Conservation personnel assisted the man and his vessel.
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to take the necessary safety precautions to ensure a safe outing, including making sure you have a marine radio to call for help. Don't rely on a cell phone since you may not get coverage away from shore. Also, wear a life jacket at all times, check the weather forecast before venturing out, and wear the proper clothing to stay dry and warm, and to prevent hypothermia.