CLEVELAND — Rescue boatcrews from two Wisconsin-based Coast Guard stations each rescued a person in the water, Friday afternoon.
In two separate incidents, Coast Guardsmen from Station Sheboygan, Wis., and Station Bayfield, Wis., recovered males who were slightly hypothermic, but without serious injuries.
At 2 p.m., CDT, the communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Sheboygan received notification from Sheboygan County Dispatch of a swimmer stranded on a sandbar near Kings Beach, Wis. A rescue boatcrew launched aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small, and was able to transfer him onto the RB-S. He was transported to Station Sheboygan and met by emergency medical services.
In the other case, a good Samaritan notified the crew of Coast Guard Station Bayfield at 3:10 p.m., CDT, of a 17-foot sailboat that capsized near the ferry lane about 200 yards from shore.
He was wearing a life jacket.
A Station Bayfield rescue boatcrew aboard a 25-foot RB-S recovered the man from the water, and transferred him to the crew of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium. The RB-M crew brought the man back to shore at Station Bayfield.
Commercial salvage has been contacted regarding the capsized sailing vessel.
The Coast Guard recommends that all people who recreate on or near the Great Lakes always swim in protected areas and never swim alone.
Also, recreational boaters should wear a life jacket at times, as it is much more difficult to find and don a lifejacket after an emergency has already occurred.
Station Sheboygan falls under the command of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, headquartered in Milwaukee, while Station Bayfield is under the command of Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Both sectors fall under the command of the 9th Coast Guard District.
