CLEVELAND — Coast Guard Ninth District crews responded to a total of nine search and rescue cases and seven law enforcement cases throughout the Great Lakes Region over the weekend.
Highlights from weekend search and rescue cases include:
A 46-year-old male became overwhelmed by weather conditions while transiting from Peche Island to Belle Isle, Michigan, via kayak, Friday. He contacted his father who, in turn, contacted the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Sector Detroit launched a Response Boat-small crew from Station Belle Isle. The crew located the kayaker clinging to a dock, recovered and transferred him and the kayak to shore.
A Coast Guard Air Station Detroit MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted and medically evacuated a cargo ship crewmember experiencing severe abdominal pain. The helicopter crew transported mariner from approximately 29 miles north of Cleveland to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, Friday.
An off-duty Coast Guard reservist chief boatswains mate responded to a vessel fire near Catawba Island, Ohio, Friday. He embarked two of the four people onto his vessel and passed his extinguisher to the other two, who were able to extinguish the electrical fire and transit to Put-In Bay.
A Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor Response Boat-medium crew responded to a notification of a 25-foot vessel that was disabled and against the rocks with eight people onboard near East 55th Street Marina, Saturday. The Coast Guard crew embarked all eight passengers and towed the vessel back to its marina.
The Great Lakes offer a beautiful environment for summer activities. The Coast Guard would like the public to enjoy the water while staying safe. Some precautions to take before hitting the water include filing a float plan before embarking on a boat, maintaining serviceable and proper-fitting lifejackets for each person onboard any watercraft, having functioning communication devices in case of emergency or a change of plans, and functional emergency signal equipment such as a locating beacon, signal flares, and sounding device.
Six out of the seven law enforcement cases involved boaters being under the influence of alcohol while operating a vessel. The Coast Guard reminds the boating community that operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous and illegal. Alcohol is a leading contributing factor for boating fatalities.
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