MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – U. S. Coast Guard Station Michigan City rescued a grandfather and his grandson that had become stranded on the breakwall at approximately 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Station Michigan City responded to the scene with a 25-foot response boat-small (RB-S). The crew of the 25-foot Coast Guard boat were able to place the raft in tow and recover the two people from the breakwall.
“Both of the individuals were wearing lifejackets, which helped keep them afloat, as they swam to the breakwall,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Sean Sewell of Station Michigan City. “Without those life jackets, the situation could have been much more dangerous with an out of control boat.”
At approximately 10 a.m. Station Michigan City received a call over VHF-radio channel 16. The reporting source stated that there was a 10-foot rubber raft with an outboard motor circling out of control near the breakwall. The two people from the boat were reported to have made it safely to the breakwall but were stranded there.
Boaters are required to carry a Coast Guard approved lifejacket for every person aboard. The Coast Guard recommends boaters wear their life jackets at all times when on the water. There is often little or no time to reach for a stowed lifejacket when an accident occurs.
The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary suggest that all boaters take a free boating safety course. These courses cover aspects of boating safety including boat handling and reading the weather. The Coast Guard Auxiliary also offers a “Water ‘N Kids” class.
