The Canadian Coast Guard and it’s search and rescue partners rescued two men Friday morning July 7, after a small fishing boat capsized on northeastern Lake St. Clair.
Coast Guard officials said a press release that the two were taking part in a fishing tournament on Mitchell’s Bay.
“They had a cell phone with them and called 911 just before capsizing, which launched the response,” Canadian Coast Guard officials stated.
A mayday relay was issued through the Coast Guard’s Marine Communications Centre in Sarnia.
The Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat at Thames River was tasked to respond by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Coast Guard officials said.
A USCG helicopter crew, in the area for a training exercise, heard the mayday relay call and was first to spot the capsized boat.
“The Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat crew arrived on scene and recovered the two men from the water,” Coast Guard officials said.
“Both men were wearing lifejackets, a factor that may have saved their lives. They were uninjured.
“After being lifted onto the Coast Guard fast rescue craft the two were transferred to an assisting Chatham-Kent Marine Police vessel.”
Windsor Marine Police also arrived on scene to assist as did a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary unit.
The Canadian Coast Guard hires and trains post-secondary students each year to become members of Inshore Rescue Boat crews.
The students form part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s search and rescue operations during the peak summer months, responding mostly to pleasure craft incidents.
– Photo credit: United States Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard
