OPP Rescue Stranded Marine Operator And Crew

(KINCARDINE, ON.) – On April 3, 2010 at 3:15 pm, the South Bruce OPP received a report of a boat in distress on Lake Huron in the Kincardine area. A Boston Whaler fishing boat had an engine failure and the boat was drifting in a northerly direction, being pushed by the strong winds.

At 4:57 pm, the boat was located approximately 800 metres from shore in the area of Red Cedar Drive. Officers were told that no boats could assist due to the extreme conditions caused by the high wind and the Coast Guard helicopter was diverted to a more serious incident. At 5:05 pm, the boat was approximately 200 metres from shore when an adult made his way to shore carrying a small child.

Sergeant Andrew Stopford and Constable Aaron Brown waded out into the cold, chest deep water 3 times to carry the remaining passengers from the boat to shore while Constable Mike Wilken worked with the boaters from shore.

By 5:25 pm, all 5 boaters were on shore where they were assessed by Bruce County Paramedics. None of the boaters were injured in this incident.

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