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Calls came in at 12:17 p.m. on December 8 to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office that a kayaker located just south of the Bluefin Bay restaurant was in distress. Apparently, the kayaker was having trouble getting back to shore due to Lake Superior’s rolling waves that were about one foot high.
An emergency response team consisting of two sheriff ’s deputies, two Cook County Search and Rescue command staff, two DNR employees, two Tofte firefighters, and two Lutsen firefighters were assigned to assist with the rope launchers in case the kayaker was swamped.
Also assisting was the Bluefin Bay Activities Director and a maintenance person; the ambulance from North Shore was called.
Meanwhile, the kayaker, a young man from Tofte, had paddled around the point and made it safely to shore about 30 minutes after the first call came in. Dispatch called off the rescuers, and the ambulance returned to Grand Marais.
Officer Nellie Torgerson talked to the young man, stressing the importance of him calling in to prevent liability on emergency calls for the sheriff ’s office. The kayaker promised Officer Torgerson that he would call dispatch multiple times when he went out in the kayak. In addition, he told the officer that he brings his cell phone with him when he goes kayaking to contact 911 in case he gets in trouble.
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