LAKE ST. CLAIR, Mich. – Macomb County deputies rescued four people who were found clinging to an overturned boat that had flipped after taking on water in the middle of a lake.
Officials were called at 3:04 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2024, to an area of Lake St. Clair that’s about one mile east of the Clinton River mouth.
Two Macomb County Sheriff’s Office patrol boats found a capsized boat. Four people in life jackets were hanging onto it, officials said.
Deputies navigated the rough waters to rescue all four boaters. You can see video of the rescue below.
The boaters said they went out to spend the day fishing, but the water was so choppy that waves began coming over the gunwale. Water got into the compartments and wouldn’t drain, so the boat flipped.
The boaters told officials that they put on life jackets before leaving the boat launch.
“This group of boaters made the best decision possible when they chose to wear life jackets on their outing,” Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. “I sincerely appreciate the efforts of our Marine Division rescuing these individuals and ensuring they made it safely back to shore.”
Click here to learn how to perform a virtual vessel safety check.
MCSO MARINE DIVISION RESCUES FOUR BOATERS Harrison Township, MI – On June 23, 2024, at approximately, 3:04PM, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Division was dispatched to Lake St. Clair, approximately one mile East of the mouth of the Clinton River, for a capsized vessel. It was reported that four individuals, wearing life jackets, were in the water but hanging onto the vessel. MCSO Patrol Boats 3 and 4 responded to the capsized vessel. Deputies were able to navigate the rough waters and rescue all four boaters quickly and safely. The boaters stated they had intended to spend the day fishing. However, the water was very choppy, and waves began coming over the gunwale into the vessel. Water entered the compartments and would not drain, flipping the vessel. The boaters stated they had put on their life jackets before leaving the boat launch. “This group of boaters made the best decision possible when they chose to wear life jackets on their outing,” stated Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. “I sincerely appreciate the efforts of our Marine Division rescuing these individuals and ensuring they made it safely back to shore.” To perform a virtual vessel safety check on your own vessel, and make sure it is water ready, please follow this link from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=130-07-12&category=virtual-vsc.
Posted by Macomb County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, June 25, 2024