Coast Guard rescues 9 stranded Upper Peninsula boaters

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. COAST GUARD

**************************** Coast Guard, Marquette County Sheriff's Department assist nine on Partridge Island

CLEVELAND - A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Marquette, Michigan, assisted three adults and six children on Partridge Island after their 12-foot pleasure craft was beset by weather Wednesday afternoon.

The communications watchstander at Station Marquette received a call for help from one of the stranded individuals via cell phone at about 1 p.m., CDT.  

The boatcrew launched aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and embarked three emergency medical services personnel from Upper Harbor as a precaution.

A Marquette County Sheriff’s Department boat also responded to the scene.

A surface swimmer from Station Marquette swam to the beach and assisted the individuals onto the Sheriff’s Department vessel, which ferried the individuals to the RB-M.

The crew of the RB-M transported all nine people back to Station Marquette.

There were no reports of injuries.

The Coast Guard recommends boaters carry VHF-FM marine radios.

A marine band radio is the best way to contact the Coast Guard or marine response agencies if you are in distress on the water.

When a mayday is sent out via VHF-FM radio it is a broadcast, not just a one-to-one communication as when made via phone.

When mariners ask for help on a marine radio, any nearby boaters can hear the distress call and offer immediate assistance. 

Channel 16 is the international distress frequency and should be used for emergencies only.

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