On Friday, U.S. Coast Guard units and local partners helped rescue five people and a dog from a capsized boat off Mackinac Island.
Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes said the people, including children, had capsized approximately 200 yards off Grand Hotel around 2 p.m. The Coast Guard, Mackinac Marine Rescue and a Shepler’s ferry all responded.
“Thanks to our close coordination with local and commercial partners, we were able to accomplish a quick and safe rescue of all persons involved,” said Lt. Alex Waide, Sector Northern Great Lakes Search and Rescue Coordinator. “This is also a great reminder of how important it is to wear life jackets; in this situation, all five of the distressed boaters were wearing them which helped buy first responders the few minutes needed to get to them in time.”
The Coast Guard said all five people and the dog were safely rescued from the water within 20 minutes after the call came in.