Coast Guard rescues lost hunter in Saginaw

CLEVELAND – U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers hoisted a disoriented hunter to safety after he lost his way while duck hunting in a southern Saginaw, Mich., marsh at about 9:10 p.m., Tuesday.

A rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit launched aboard an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter, and crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Tawas, Mich., drove to the area in an automobile to try to locate the hunter after he placed a distress call via cell phone at about 6:10 p.m.

“Our crew located the man and he was okay,” said Lt. Tasha Hood, co-pilot aboard the rescue helicopter. “We just wanted to make sure we got him to shore before it turned into something worse.”

The Coast Guard recommends all mariners carry a reliable means of communication at all times, and specifically urges mariners to carry a VHF-FM marine band radio. VHF-FM marine-band radios are far more reliable in the marine environment. VHF-FM Channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel, is monitored by the Coast Guard and state marine patrols around the clock. In addition, distress calls broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16 will be heard by all mariners in the vicinity. Urgent safety information and weather reports for boaters are also broadcast over marine band radio channels.