Blogs

04-21-13 APACHE JUNCTION, AZ 2 children suffer minor burns in boat explosion Authorities say 2 children suffered minor burns after a boat engine exploded about 65 mi. NE of Phoenix at Lake Apache. Maricopa Co.  sheriff's spokesman Joaquin Enriquez says a 7-y/o girl was taken to a hosp. for treatment after the explosion at around noon Sun. (04-21). The other child wasn't brought to a hosp. No one else was injured. Enriquez says authorities don't yet know what caused the explosion. Read full story here.

04-20-13 ST. MARY’S COUNTY, MD 2 Dead After Boat Capsizes on Chesapeake Bay Two men died after their fishing boat capsized on the Chesapeake Bay Sat .morning (04-20). Maryland DNR police confirmed the deaths Sat. afternoon. The USCG identified them as David Carlton Fletcher, 43, and David Michael Chase, 55. Both men were from Lexington Park, Md. Four other people, including at least 1 teenager, were rescued from the 23-ft. vessel. The sinking occurred approximately 2 mi. S. of Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary's Co. The CG said in a statement that Watchstanders overheard a broadcast by a local charter captain at around 8:30 a.m. Sat. asking for any assistance in locating the overturned boat. The charter captain told the CG that he had received a call from the sister of one of the people on the boat. The woman was told by her sister that the boat was taking on water, before communications were lost. Boat crews from the CG, St. Mary's Co. Fire and rescue, Md. Natural Resources Police, and helicopter crews from Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Maryland Police responded to the scene. An investigation into the capsizing is ongoing. Police are looking at several possible contributing factors, including high winds and rough waves. The boat has not been recovered. Read full story here. 

04-19-13 SAN DIEGO, CA Coast Guard rescues men from capsized boat The USCG rescued 2 men on Fri. afternoon (04-19) after their 12-ft. sailboat capsized in the ocean off Coronado. One man was on the hull, and the other was clinging to the side of the hull about 2 mi. W. of Silver Strand State Beach, CG Petty Officer Connie Gawrelli said. They were spotted about 2:30 p.m. by the crew of the CG cutter Waesche. The 418-ft. boat, which is based in Alameda, had been in the area on routine patrol at the time. The cutter’s small boat was launched to rescue the men, who were not injured. They were transferred to a 45-ft. boat from CG Station San Diego, which towed the sailboat to Shelter Island. Gawrelli said the boat that capsized was a Sunfish, described as a personal-size, beach-launched dinghy. The sailboat, which is registered out of Shelter Island, had been turned over by the tide in the surf line. Read full story here.

04-19-13 ALGOMA, WI Boat carrying 4 people capsizes near Algoma A 19-ft. Lund boat with 4people in it capsized on Lake Michigan near Algoma Fri. morning (04-19). The USCG and Kewaunee Co. Sheriff’s Dept. said one of the occupants was picked up by a charter fishing vessel near the scene. The other 3 occupants made it to shore on their own, according to officials. The boat capsized near the Algoma City Harbor around 6:30 a.m., not far off shore. Reports describe the incident happening 100 ft. to 200 yds. off shore. Public safety officers from Algoma and other Kewaunee Co. agencies responded to the incident along with a CG crew from Sturgeon Bay. The occupants were taken to Green Bay medical facilities by ambulance for “precautionary observation.” The boat is owned by Kyle Lemens, 25 of Luxemburg, according to the Kewaunee Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Also in the boat at the time were Billy Charles, 40, of Forestville; Michael Bouche, 24, of Casco; and Jesse Jonet, 37, of Luxemburg. The incident was under investigation by The CG Fri. Read full story here.

04-17-13 SOUTH HOLSTON LAKE, TN Boater Injured By Propeller After Being Ejected From Boat On South Holston Lake A man suffered injuries after being ejected from a boat and struck by the propeller on South Holston Lake Wed. evening (04-17), according to the TN. Wildlife Resources Agency. Douglas Vance, 21 of Bluff City, Tn. was a passenger onboard an 18-ft. bass boat when he fell overboard and was struck by the boat’s propeller. The boat was nearing the “No Wake” zone at Laurel Marina when the incident occurred. The boat’s operator and other passenger retrieved Vance from the water and took him to the marina where his injuries were treated.  Members of Sullivan County EMS transported the victim to Bristol Regional Med.Cen. where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries to his upper body and head. Mr. Vance was reportedly not wearing a life jacket.  Read full story here.

04-21-13 LAYFAYETTE, IN Two rescued after canoe overturned in river Tippecanoe Co. agencies rescued 2 people Sun. evening (04-21) after their canoe overturned. Police received a call just after 8:20 p.m. Sun. from a person on the John T. Myers pedestrian bridge who witnessed a canoe that occupied 2 people overturn into the flooded river. The witness also told police 2 canoes were floating down stream – the 2nd canoe that held 3 people was trying to help 2 people in the water. According to a release, officers of multiple agencies including the Tippecanoe Co. Dive Team began a search for the people reported in the water. Two men were located under a bridge and assisted out of the water. Three that were located in the 2nd canoe were able to paddle to shore at Shamrock Park in Lafayette. All 5 were evaluated by medics and refused medical treatment. Upon further investigation, the 5 began their trip on the Tippecanoe River at Springboro. The first canoe struck an underwater obstruction near one of the bridges and overturned. The passengers of the 2nd canoe attempted to assist the 2 in the water but were unable to navigate the boat properly with 2 holding on. All 5 people were wearing life jackets. Indiana Conservation Officers are urging everyone to stay out of the floodwaters. The unpredictable fast current and underwater obstructions and cold temperatures are hazardous. Read full story here.

04-22-13 GRANDVILLE, MI Rescued couple 'very cold' after canoe capsizes in Grand River flooding Two people are being treated Mon. (04-22) for hypothermia after their canoe capsized in a wooded, flooded area near Butterworth Street SW. The couple, in their late 50s or early 60s, lost control of their canoe while venturing into flooded waters, Grandville Police Sgt. Dale Karpowicz said. They were taken to a local hosp. The man was able to climb onto a log and hang on, but the woman could not reach it. A passer-by heard screaming, and flagged down a Walker Police officer. Nate Teachout, a kayaker, heard the trouble and followed the screams. He then provided information to police and firefighters who responded to the scene. Grand Rapids firefighters used a Zodiac rescue boat to reach the couple in an area thick with brush and trees. The couple, who had been in the water about 30 minutes, were very cold and unable to tell police exactly what happened. The woman was in chest-deep water. Both wore flotation devices. Their red, plastic canoe is somewhere on the river, police said. Karpowicz said Teachout, the kayaker, helped police find the screaming couple. His information also helped police determine what kind of boat to use in the rescue. “They were just yelling, ‘Help, help,’ he said. Read full story here.

04-21-13 NEWPORT BEACH, CA Lifeguards Help Rescue Drifting Boat Newport Beach lifeguards worked together to cut anchor lines in order to free a 24-ft. Bayliner that was about to wash onshore over the weekend, the Newport Beach Fire Dept. reported. At about 2:41 p.m. Sun. (04-21), Newport Beach Fire Dept. Lifeguard Capt. Arn Van Dyke responded to a report of a 24-ft. Bayliner, with 4 or 5 people aboard, dragging anchor near the surfline at L Street on the Balboa Peninsula. According to fire officials, Van Dyke swam through 6-ft. surf and 16 knot winds to get to the 24-ft. Bayliner that was about to wash onshore. Balboa Peninsula resident Nick Scalzo helped Van Dyke pull the boat out to the surfline until Newport Lifeguard rescue boat Sea Watch III and an Orange Co. Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol Fire Boat arrived on scene 3 min. later. The boat was quickly tied off as a large set of waves approached. Van Dyke realized there was not enough time to pull the 2 anchors, so he called for a knife. Carson Hill, a deckhand on the rescue boat, grabbed an emergency knife from Sea Watch, dove in and cut the anchor lines. Authorities said lifeguards saw fishing poles out, and it appeared the boaters were unaware the surf had increased and their boat had slipped anchor in the strong winds. Deputies towed the boat and passengers to Newport Harbor. Read full story here.

04-23-13 YAKIMA RIVER, WA Two Men Safely Escape Capsized Boat Yesterday Two men safely made it to shore after their boat capsized on the Yakima river Mon. (04-22). Witnesses called authorities after seeing the empty boat at the Terrace Heights Bridge and life jackets floating down the river. Yakima Police with Yakima and Union Gap fire depts.. responded to the scene. They eventually made contact with the men, who said their boat overturned when it hit a log. No injuries were reported.Read full story here.

04-22-13 LAKE HAVASU, AZ Girl dies after being struck by boat propeller Lake Havasu City emergency responders readied themselves at Lake Havasu State Park’s north ramp at approximately 3:40 p.m. Mon. (04-22) to intercept an injured 8-y/o female who suffered cuts from a boat propeller. “The 8-y/o came off of the boat somehow and was caught in the prop,” said Battalion Chief James Whitt, of Lake Havasu City Fire Dept. “She was deceased on arrival. There was nothing the (emergency medical services) agencies could do.” The girl was with her family, including 3 siblings and her mother and father. All were from Cottonwood. According to an MCSO press release, after authorities determined the girl was deceased, county deputies spoke with the operator of the rented 2000 Premier Pontoon boat, a 43-y/o male. The deputies discovered the male, along with his wife and 4 children had been in the Salt Basin area traveling northbound at a slow rate of speed when the 8-y/o victim, who was sitting in the bow of the boat, fell off and was struck by the propeller. The girl was wearing a life vest. She was transported to shore where she was pronounced dead by medics. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor and accident is still under investigation. Lake Havasu City firefighters aboard Engine 5 and Truck 1 responded alongside Whitt. Careflight medical helicopter, based in Parker, was launched and arrived nearly 15 min. before the girl’s arrival. Read full story here.