CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew rescued three people and two dogs who were unable to return to harbor due to heavy weather near Wilmette Harbor, Illinois, Sunday evening.
Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received notification from Coast Guard Station Wilmette Harbor of a report that a de-masted, 37-foot sailboat was under power but unable to make headway and the local vessel towing company was unable to respond due to weather conditions. Sector Lake Michigan watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched the Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew to respond.
The Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew arrived on scene and reported the weather conditions were unsafe to conduct a tow. They transferred the three people and two dogs onto the response boat.
The sailboat was left at anchor overnight with navigation lights energized approximately one nautical mile offshore until it was safe to tow Monday morning.
Weather on scene was reported as 24 to 33-mph winds and five to seven-foot seas.
