The Coast Guard responded to a report of a vessel that ran aground on rocks with three men aboard near Starve Island in Lake Erie on July 18.
One man was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.
Coast Guard Sector Detroit watchstanders were alerted to the accident from Ottawa County at 3 a.m., issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Marblehead Response Boat-Medium boat crew at 3:05 a.m. and a Coast Guard Air Station Detroit MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew at 3:42 a.m.
The Station Marblehead crew arrived on scene at 3:41 a.m. and pulled two men from the water at 4:20 a.m. One of the men was unconsciousness and the second had sustained major injuries. The helicopter crew found and hoisted the third man, who reported no injuries.
The three men were taken to Cleveland and Port Clinton for medical care.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life in this incident,” Coast Guard Sector Detroit Spokesman Lt. J.G. Samuel Rodriguez said. “While we’re grateful our crews were able to bring two people to safety, this tragedy serves as an important reminder that conditions on the water can change quickly. We encourage all mariners to wear a properly fitted life jacket, monitor weather and water conditions, and carry reliable communication equipment every time they get underway.”
Watchstanders issued a special marine information broadcast to alert mariners to the vessel remaining on the rocks.
Starve Island is a 2-acre island about 1 mile south of South Bass Island.
The News-Messenger/News Herald
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: One dead after boat runs aground in Lake Erie
Reporting by USA Today Network / Port Clinton News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By USA Today Network | USA TODAY Network
