By Chief Warrant Officer Corinne Zilnicki, U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes

CLEVELAND—The Coast Guard and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office rescued three boaters whose vessel capsized offshore Roadside Park in Coloma, Michigan, Monday.

After Berrien County drone operators located the capsized vessel one-half mile offshore, a Coast Guard Station St. Joseph boat crew rescued all three individuals, who were wearing life jackets and holding onto the overturned boat.

Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan command center watchstanders received notification from Berrien County dispatchers at 3:59 p.m. of a capsized 16-foot catamaran with two women and one man aboard.

A Station St. Joseph 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched and arrived on scene at 4:29 p.m. At 4:37 p.m., the crew rescued the boaters and transported them safely ashore.

“This rapid rescue highlights both the value of local agency partnerships and the lifesaving impact of proper safety gear,” said Cmdr. Aaron Dorrian, search and rescue mission coordinator, Sector Lake Michigan. “The Coast Guard urges every boater across the Great Lakes to prioritize safety by always wearing your life jacket, monitoring local weather conditions, and carrying reliable means of communication.”

For any maritime emergencies please contact the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan command center at 833-900-2247.