Boat overturns in Lake Superior (updated)

NEWS RELEASES

U.S. COAST GUARD

************************* Update - 3:37 p.m.

CLEVELAND – Response crews have concluded their search and rescue case, having recovered the fourth boater deceased in Lake Superior today.

The names of the dead and rescued are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

************************* Original story - 3:16 p.m.

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people after their 18-foot vessel overturned approximately two miles northeast of Little Presque Isle, Michigan in Lake Superior at about 1:30 p.m. today.

Rescue crews continue to search for a fourth person who was on the vessel when it capsized.

The names of those missing and rescued are not available at this time.

Coast Guard Station Marquette launched a rescue crew aboard a 25-foot response boat-small (RB-S) after receiving a distress call via VHF-FM radio Channel 16 at about 1 p.m.

The RB-S crew located three of the boaters at about 1:30.

A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Traverse City, a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel and marine assets from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department are also assisting in the search for the missing person.

VHF-FM channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel, is monitored by the Coast Guard and state marine patrols around the clock.

In addition, unlike cellular phones, distress calls broadcast over VHF-FM channel 16 will be heard by all mariners in the vicinity.

Urgent safety information and weather reports for boaters are also broadcast over marine band radio channels.

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