A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew rescued two men and a woman on western Lake Superior near the Susie Islands off Grand Portage after they became overwhelmed by bad weather while kayaking Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2014.
Just before 4:30 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, received a mayday broadcast from three kayakers who were struggling in the wind while on their way from Grand Portage to Lucille Island, one of the 13 islands that make up the Susie Islands of Lake Superior.
Unable to maintain good communications, Sector Sault Ste. Marie directed the launch of a 25-foot boat and crew from Coast Guard Station North Superior in Grand Marais. They also contacted the Grand Portage Marina Harbormaster to assist relaying communications between the kayakers and Sector Sault Ste. Marie watchstanders.
Because of distance and winds blowing around 25 mph and a sea state around 5 feet, the Station North Superior crew trailered the response boat from Grand Marais to Grand Portage, where they launched.
Just before 5 p.m. local time, the response boat crew arrived on scene, brought all three people aboard and towed the kayaks back to Grand Portage Marina.
All three kayakers were wearing their life jackets and reported no medical concerns. “They were tired and scared, but otherwise alright,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Hill, a coxswain at the Grand Marais Coast Guard Station.
“The importance of having a reliable means of communication can’t be stressed enough,” said Petty Officer Hill. “By taking along a handheld marine radio with GPS capabilities, these boaters helped us to help them.”
Petty Officer Hill expressed gratitude to the Grand Portage Marina. “The harbormaster handled the initial call and was a great help.”
The Coast Guard also recommends that boaters take a personal locator beacon along with them when heading out to enjoy the water. Once a PLB is activated, it can transmit your position to rescuers within three feet via satellite, essentially taking the search out of search-and-rescue.
The names of the kayakers are not being released.
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