Huron OPP Rescue Three From Sinking Sailboat

Source: Area OPP
Date: Thu Jun 14 03:01:47 MST 2018
(LAKE HURON, ON) - The Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Marine Unit is urging boaters to ensure SAFETY is their number one priority when out on the lake this boating season. This warning comes following a successful rescue mission this past weekend by the Huron OPP Marine Unit & the Canadian Coast Guard.

Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018 Huron OPP received a 9-1-1 call about a small sailboat that had capsized in Lake Huron north of Bayfield approximately 2 kilometres from shore. (See Attached Photo)

Three London residents, all between the ages of 19 to 24 plunged into the frigid water when their sailboat capsized. The strong winds and heavy wave activity on Lake Huron simply overpowered the inexperienced and ill-prepared sail-boaters. There was no safety equipment on board the vessel nor were any of them wearing life jackets or personal floatation devices.

Fortunately, the OPP Marine Unit was in the area and was able to locate the small boat within 10 minutes. Upon arriving on scene officers located the three men all submerged in the water attempting to hold onto the overturned hull of the sailboat. Officers were able to pull out the panicked and exhausted males from the water into safety.

Members from the Canadian Coast Guard arrived on scene a few minutes later and were able to transport the males safely to shore whereupon they subsequently received treatment for hypothermia and exhaustion.

"We are very fortunate these young males survived this life and death situation. It very easily could have been a tragedy. I cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared before you set sail. The best protection you can give yourself on the water is to wear your lifejacket!"

Sergeant Andrew MacIsaac, Huron OPP

Huron OPP offers the following additional marine safety tips:

Life Jackets/PFD - A proper sized life jacket or PFD is required for each person on board.
Competent Operator - Take a boating safety course and always carry your operator card with you.
Check and monitor the Marine Weather Forecast. Conditions can change quickly, particularly on larger bodies of water.
Sail Plan - Let someone know your planned route and estimated time of return. Time is of the essence in an emergency, it can make the difference between a rescue and a recovery.
Safety Equipment - Required by law, requirements vary by type of vessel and size. Ensure you have the proper equipment on board each time you sail; it won't help you if it's left on the dock.
Charts and Compass - Be aware of local hazards, water levels, tides and know where you are at all times.
Fuel - 1/3 to go, 1/3 to return, 1/3 in reserve.
Boat Condition - Check the hull, hoses, lines, clamps and the battery. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of a break down on the water.
Leave the Beer on the Pier - Boaters caught drinking and boating in Ontario face the same consequences as drinking & driving on land. This includes power boats, canoes, kayaks, sail boats and personal watercraft.

Waterloo Regional Police Service

$9,000,000 Drug Bust
Steven Lehmann Arrested For Sexual Assault & Exploitation
Two Arrested For Brandishing Weapons
$60,000 In Stolen Goods Recovered
Fatal Shooting Around Homer Watson In Kitchener
WRPS Endanger Community By Withholding Names Of Human Traffickers
Hwy 85 Hit & Run Suspect At Large
Chaos in Kitchener: Impaired Driver Flees Scene, Struck Police Cruiser, K9 Track, Etc
Police Investigating “Sudden Death”
1 Kilo(ish) Cocaine & $10,000 Cash Bust – WRPS Won’t Say Where The ISH Went Or Name Names
Head On Collision – WRPS Withholds Name Of DD – Do Your Drunk Driving In KW To Remain Anonymous
Woman Walking With Dog Run Down – One Deceased
Teens Arrested For Armed Robbery At Jewelry Store
Armed Carjacking Attempt – Teens Arrested
Another Sexual Assault In Waterloo
Another Shooting In Kitchener
Armed Gang Robbery In Waterloo – Suspects At Large
9 Year Old Pedestrian Airlifted Following Collision
AI Elon Musk Scams $800,000 From One Victim #MoreMoneyThanBrains
Have You Been Scammed By A “Contractor”?
Pedestrian Fatally Run Down In Crosswalk #PedstriansMatter
Another Pedestrian Sent To Hospital
Another Robbery In Cambridge
Man In Custody Following Shooting
Armed Carjacking In Cambridge - Suspects At Large

Latest Headlines