CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard assisted the Manistee Fire Department in the rescue of seven boaters after their boat ran into the south breakwall near Manistee, Mich., early Saturday morning.
At 5:57 a.m. EST a search-and-rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, received a report, on VHF-FM marine radio channel 16, of a boat with seven people aboard that ran into a breakwall. The SAR coordinator directed the launch of a rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Manistee.
The rescue boatcrew, aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small, arrived on scene at 6:17 a.m. and assisted the local fire department, who were already on scene. One of the injured boaters was placed on a backboard, and the Coast Guard boatcrew transported him and an emergency medical technician to the 1st Street Boat Ramp. The boatcrew returned to the boat and transported the other injured boater and another EMT to the boat ramp. The five other boaters either suffered minor injuries or were not injured.
“The ability to respond with an experienced and competent crew that was willing to try non-standard methods to assist distressed boaters was essential to a successful response alongside our local partners,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Bryant, the coxswain aboard the 25-foot RB-S.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to be familiar with the areas in which they boat. If boaters are not familiar with their desired activity location, they are encouraged to use a GPS or review the most recent nautical charts. Also, boaters should not transit at night in an area they’re not adequately familiar with.
