Coast Guard rescues man from sailboat on Lake Superior

A Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City Air Force Base rescued a 73-year-old man from a sailboat that ran aground on Manitou Island near the Keweenaw Peninsula on Saturday morning.

At 5:30 am, the Sault Saint Marie Coast Guard Area Command Center received an uncorrelated “mayday” distress radio call from a sailboat indicating that it was solidly grounded on rocks.

The command center immediately launched an MH-60 helicopter from Traverse City Air Force Base. The helicopter established communications with the navigator at 0835 and used radio direction finder equipment to locate the grounded sailboat. The helicopter deployed a lifeguard swimmer who assisted the distressed sailor and hoisted him to safety. The man was then taken to the emergency room.

Mariners are reminded to have usable electronic position indicating beacons, life jackets, flares, and VHF radios, and to inform friends or family of their flotation plan before setting out on a trip. trip. A floating plan shows where you’re going, how long you’ll be away, what you’re doing, and when you expect to be back. This information is invaluable to research efforts in case you need help.

The man’s name and his current condition were not disclosed.