Good Samaritans recognized for saving teenage girl from icy waters of St. Marys River

NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
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SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI – Today, Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie recognized the crew of the Sugar Island Ferry and three Good Samaritans who saved the life of a teenage girl from the icy waters of the St. Marys River. 

Capt. Patrick Nelson, Commander Sector Sault Sainte Marie, presented the Coast Guard Certificate of Merit to Captain Dale Rosenbum and Phillip Roy, Sugar Island ferry, for their commendable actions on Jan. 21, 2020, in which they rescued a teenage girl who fell into the St. Marys River.

Upon sighting of the person in the water, Captain Rosenbum expertly maneuvered the ferry for emergency pickup procedures by a makeshift Good Samaritan crew assembled by Mr. Roy, a deckhand onboard. Mr. Roy and the Good Samaritans stabilized the survivor’s condition and swiftly transported them to awaiting emergency responders on the mainland. 

“We are incredibly proud of the heroic and quick response by Captain Rosenbum and Mr. Roy. It is a clear testament to their proficiency and dedication as professional mariners and their strong sense of civic responsibility to their community,” stated Captain Nelson. 

Capt. Nelson also recognized three of the Good Samaritans, Sonny Menard, Fred Newton, and Bob LaPointe, who volunteered to assist the crew. “These Good Samaritans embody the UP spirit of community selflessness. We thank them for stepping up to assist with saving a life.”

For more information contact Lt. Sean Murphy at (906) 635-3223 or [email protected], or follow facebook.com/SectorSaultSainteMarie.

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