Coast Guard, good samaritan respond to capsized vessel

NEWS RELEASE
U.S. COAST GUARD
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SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MICH. — The Coast Guard responded to a report of a capsized vessel near Detour Passage, Michigan, Wednesday evening.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie command center received a call via VHF-FM radio channel 16 from the cargo vessel Lee A. Tregurtha reporting that a 17-foot pleasure craft had capsized with four people onboard.

Sector Sault Sainte Marie watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, diverted the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Buckthorn, launched a Station Sault Sainte Marie response boat crew, and requested an MH-60 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City.

Approximately five minutes later, a good samaritan who heard the urgent marine information broadcast arrived on scene. The good samaritan vessel brought all four people onboard their vessel shortly before a response boat crew from Coast Guard Cutter Buckthorn arrived on scene.

The four people were transported to the Detour Village boat launch.

The capsized vessel sank in approximately 135 feet of water near Detour Passage. The Coast Guard is currently monitoring the area for any possible pollution or hazards to navigation. The Army Corps of Engineers will survey the channel. 

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket. The number one cause of boating fatalities is drowning, most often by sudden, unexpected entry into the water. Wearing a life jacket dramatically increases the chances of surviving a boating accident.

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