Two young boaters were rescued at 9:38 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26 after being stranded on the north side of Gunflint Lake overnight.
According to Cook County Law Enforcement, the two young men—Anthony James Tidgwell, 18, of Maplewood, MN and Jesse Lee Ritzer, 17, of Stillwater MN, had rented a 16-foot black Lund boat with a 20-hp motor from Gunflint Pines at about noon on Monday, August 25.
When they did not return when expected, resort owner Bob Baker set out to look for them. He said he wasn’t too worried, as it takes longer to traverse the 8-mile-long, 1-mile-wide lake in windy conditions. After a fruitless search, Baker returned to Gunflint Pines, fully expecting to find the young men safe and sound back at the dock. When they were not, Baker issued a call for help.
The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, Cook County Search and Rescue, Gunflint Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, and Minnesota State Patrol were all involved in the search, which lasted until past midnight and included a number of searchers traveling Gunflint Lake in the dark, scanning the shoreline with high-powered spotlights. The weather didn’t aid the search as wind picked up, temperatures dropped to the low 60s and a light rain fell.
Finally the night search was called off with plans to resume the search early the next morning, with assistance of aircraft. At 9:38 a.m. Tuesday morning word came that the boat—minus its motor—and the boaters had been found on the north side of the lake.
Baker said the searchers likely passed the young men a couple of times during the night. “They either didn’t see us, or when they did, it was too late for them to get the searcher’s attention,” said Baker.
Baker said they had somehow lost the motor off the boat at about 2:30 p.m. and were adrift for several hours before the boat washed ashore. The men were unharmed.
Boaters are reminded that it is a good idea to plan ahead when setting out for the day. Baker said he recommends that people think about the possibility of spending the night on shore somewhere. “You never know. It could be sunny and 75 degrees and by the end of the day, windy and very cold. Rain gear will not only keep you dry, it can help in the wind. Matches aren’t a bad idea either,” said Baker.
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