US Coast Guard rescues 5 boaters floating on cooler in Lake Erie

ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Five people were rescued from Lake Erie Saturday morning after their boat sank, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Yaw of the U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District.

Petty Officer Yaw shared that around 11:34 p.m. the USCG Sector Eastern Great Lakes in Buffalo received a 911 relay from the Ashtabula County Emergency Management.

The call reported five boaters were clinging to a white cooler eight to ten miles off the coast of Ashtabula in Lake Erie.

The boaters were fishing for walleye when their 22 foot boat got “swamped” by a wave, according to the Coast Guard.

Luckily, all of them were wearing life jackets.

A helicopter from AIRSTA Detroit MH65 diverted from another mission and used location from a cell phone to find the stranded boaters.

According to Petty Officer Yaw, the helicopter used is fitted for four passengers, and after rescuing the five boater, transported nine passengers.

They were taken to Northeast Ohio Regional Airport and no injuries were reported, according to Petty Officer Yaw.

An employee at the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport, who arrived minutes before the arrival of the helicopter, helped to guide the aircraft around noon.

Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.