Coast Guard rescues 7 off grounded vessel in Western Lake Erie

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/15/2017 03:56 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Oct. 15, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 9th District Great Lakes
Contact: 9th District Public Affairs
Office: (216) 902-6020
After Hours: (216) 310-2608

Coast Guard rescues 7 off grounded vessel in Western Lake Erie

 

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people Saturday evening off their grounded vessel on Buckeye Reef near Middle Bass Island in Western Lake Erie.

The names of those rescued are not being released and there is no known video or imagery available for this case.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Detroit received a report of a 28-foot vessel that was hard aground on Buckeye Reef with five adults and two children aboard. The vessel was reported to be severely listing and one of the adults was experiencing a panic attack thought to be brought on by the situation.

A crew from Coast Guard Station Marblehead, Ohio, aboard a 25-foot response boat, responded. A local commercial salvage crew responded as well.

An urgent marine information broadcast was not sent due to concerns for public safety, given the shallow and rocky area.

After arriving on scene, neither the Marblehead or salvage crew was able to approach the vessel due to water depth.

A crew from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit was launched aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter in order to rescue the people.

Once on scene, the air station crew hoisted four of the people and took them to the Middle Bass Island Municipal Airport where they were met by the Put-in-Bay Police and EMS personnel. The helicopter crew returned to the stricken vessel and hoisted the remaining three people.

After being evaluated by EMS, with no reported injuries, all seven people were taken from Put-in-Bay to Station Marblehead by a crew from Station Marblehead aboard a 45-foot response boat. 

Arrangements for vessel salvage are being made by the owner for Sunday, depending on favorable weather conditions.

Pollution responders from Marine Safety Unit Toledo were notified regarding possible pollution and are following up. No pollution has been reported.

-USCG-