CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard rescued a man from the water in Lake Erie after he fell off his personal watercraft Sunday evening.
At 8:34 p.m., a communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Marblehead, Ohio, received a report from the Miller Boat Line operator of a person in the water who was unable to get on his personal watercraft.
It was reported that he was wearing a lifejacket and did not appear to be in any distress.
A boatcrew from Station Marblehead launched aboard a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat. When the boatcrew arrived on scene, they removed the man from the water and discovered that the personal watercraft was disabled.
There have been no reports of injury or pollution, and it is unknown how the personal watercraft became disabled. The boatcrew towed the vessel to the South Bass Island Ferry Terminal.
The Coast Guard reminds mariners to be aware of their fatigue levels especially those who are operating personal watercraft and paddle boats. A life jacket is a critical piece of safety equipment, but boaters must also have the energy and strength to remount their vessel. The Coast Guard also advises that people out on a vessel by themselves to carry a personal electronic position indicating radio beacon or handheld radio.
