United States Coast Guard Rescues Five in Separate Incidents

In two separate and unrelated events, the United States Coast Guard was either directly responsible for or assisted in the location and rescue of five individuals between the hours of midnight Sunday and 6:00 a.m. Monday.

On Sunday, an aircrew from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station at Traverse City Michigan helped the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Department in the search and rescue operation of a missing hunter. The lost hunter was located at 1:55 a.m. Sunday morning near the Michigan town of Cheboygan.

Missing since late Saturday afternoon, the 54 year old hunter had told family he would return around 5:00 p.m. When he failed to return home, his family notified local law enforcement. To assist in the location of the lost hunter, the Sheriff's Department requested the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard for an aerial search. Using night vision goggles, the air crew spotted the hunter who had started a small fire for warmth in a wooded area northwest of Cheboygan. Once the crew spotted the stranded hunter they guided the ground search to his location with in a matter of minutes.

According to his rescuers, the hunter's successful rescue was due in part to the preparation he made before departing on the trip. By leaving a hunting plan including an estimated time of return and the means by which to signal or build a signal fire, the hunter greatly increased his odds of being located in a timely manner. Even with the leaves off the trees, locating an individual on the ground can still be a monumental task. The Coast Guard suggests that there are several pieces of survival equipment which can increase the chances of being found should one become lost. Included items are a 2 way radio or cell phone, warm clothing including a vest or hat which is brightly colored, a hand held GPS, and a flashlight or other source of light which can aid in detection by the use of night vision goggles.

In an unrelated emergency, a crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Meyers Beach in Florida rescued four boaters north of Marco Island, Florida early Monday morning. The boaters were found in good condition aboard their twenty four foot pleasure craft.