Incident Summary:
On 9/30/2019 at approximately 11:00am, 911dispatch received a call of a water emergency in Lake Superior. Donald Alan Slater and Randall Joseph Cortsen were aboard a 21 foot Monark Aluminum Hulled boat operated by Donald James Sarter when the engine was overcome with water. The subsequent large waves turned the boat, later flipping it upside down in the water. One of the involved said the three escaped from the capsized boat and swam for the nearest shore. Slater and Cortsen were able to reach shore and call 911 but reported Sarter unaccounted for. Sarter was later located by Duluth Firefighters in shallow waters off the end of Park Point near Sky Harbor Airport. Despite lifesaving efforts Sarter was pronounced dead at the scene. According to one of the men involved all were wearing life jackets at the time but not zipped together in the front. The boat is owned by Roen Salvage of Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin and the three involved are employed by the same. The incident is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
Authority: Deputy Michael McDougall
Date: 9/30/2019 Time: 1715
Additional Information or Update:
Slater and Cortsen walked away from the scene with no apparent injuries.
Responders included St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Duluth Fire Department, US Coast Guard, Duluth Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Authority: Deputy Michael McDougall Date: 9/30/2019 Time: 1741
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