VIDEO RELEASE: Coast Guard rescues 3 people, 2 dogs near Wilmette, Illinois

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Oct. 23, 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 3 people, 2 dogs near Wilmette, Illinois

A Coast Guard Calumet Harbor Response Boat-medium crew transfers a mariner aboard from a sailboat beset by heavy weather near Wilmette, Illinois, Oct. 22, 2017. The 37-foot de-masted sailboat was left at anchor with navigation lights energized approximately one nautical mile offshore. U.S. Coast Guard video.

A Coast Guard Station Response Boat-medium crew transfers a dog aboard from a sailboat beset by heavy weather near Wilmette, Illinois, Oct. 22, 2017. The 37-foot sailboat was de-masted and unable to make headway back to harbor in the strong winds. U.S. Coast Guard video.

A Coast Guard Calumet Harbor Response Boat-medium crew transfers a dog aboard from a sailboat beset by heavy weather near Wilmette, Illinois, Oct. 22, 2017. The Coast Guard crew rescued three people and two dogs from the de-masted sailboat. U.S. Coast Guard video.

 Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version of the video. 

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard Calumet Harbor Response Boat-medium crew rescued three people and two dogs who were unable to return to harbor due to heavy weather near Wilmette Harbor, Illinois, Sunday evening.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received notification from Station Wilmette Harbor of a report that a de-masted, 37-foot sailboat was under power but unable to make headway and the local vessel towing company was unable to respond due to weather conditions. Sector Lake Michigan watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched the Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew to respond.

The Station Calumet Harbor boatcrew arrived on scene and reported the weather conditions were unsafe to conduct a tow. They transferred the three people and two dogs onto the response boat.

The sailboat was left at anchor overnight with navigation lights energized approximately one nautical mile offshore until it was safe to tow Monday morning. 

Weather on scene was reported as 24 to 33-mph winds and five to seven-foot seas.

-USCG-