HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) –Two adults and a child had to be rescued by Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Marine patrol deputies, after they were called for help.
It happened just before 3 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019, when disptachers were alerts to a personal watercraft and three people in distress at the end of the south pier head in Lake Michigan. Police investigators later learned the Sea-Doo, which was rented, and its three passengers, was approaching the end of the channel the pilot realized the waves were to large to navigate.
As they tried turning the watercrafter around to return to Lake Macatawa, the turn took the vessel against the waves. The watercraft rolled in response, and all three passengers were thrown into the water.
They were unable to righ the craft, which began taking on water quickly.
Sheriff’s marine deputies were able to both rescue the three people, using lines to pull them into the patrol boat. All three survivors were evaluated by AMR paramedics and treated for fatigue and water ingestion, according to authorities.
The marine unit deputies also recovered the watercraft, transporting it back to land. The Sheriff’s Office Marine officials are asking people to keep in mind the serious dangers when high wind and waves conditions are evident Lake Michigan, especially when operating watercraft. Anyone getting out onto the water in a boat or other watercraft should be honestly mindful of their boating ability and expertise — and their limitations — before venturing out into high-wave conditions.
