PORT AUSTIN (WWJ) – Police officials in Huron County are reminding the public to be smart and safe on the water after three kayakers had to be rescued Sunday afternoon as a thunderstorm moved into the area.
A concerned Port Austin resident saw the kayakers – men ages 20, 26 and 27, all from Michigan’s Thumb region – heading to the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson says that resident called him as radar indicated storms were developing to the south, about an hour away. While the air temperatures were in the 80s, the water was only about 40 degrees, and the resident worried the kayakers were getting themselves into a predicament.
The kayakers would have to eventually paddle back to shore against the strong wind.
“He and other residents of that subdivision have watched situations, like what this one was appearing, go bad many times over the years with kayakers,” Hanson said.
While the kayakers hadn’t yet called for help, and appeared to still be moving, a patrol deputy responded to the scene as Hanson tried to find someone with a boat.
“Unfortunately this time of season very few boats are in the water, which includes our patrol boats,” Hanson said.
Just as police officials decided to alert the Port Austin Fire Department, one of the kayakers was calling 911 at the same time to report he had overturned in the cold water, and the other two were having a difficult time staying upright.
That’s when Port Austin firefighters responded in an inflatable rescue boat, just as storms were closing in on the area.
The firefighters were able to get all three kayakers aboard their boat, leaving the kayaks adrift and headed back toward Port Austin in rough water and heavy rain, with a thunderstorm in the area.
They ended up coming into the Lakeside Subdivision private marina and turned all three kayakers over to medical personnel to be checked over. All three were treated and released.
Hanson says though Sunday’s event had an eventual good outcome, he “cannot emphasize enough how Lake Huron can’t be taken for granted,” especially so early in the season, “with cold water and limited options for rescue.”
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“All three could have easily been blown past the Port Austin Reef with the strong southwest breeze and all would have ended up in the water,” Hanson said. “Fortunately they did have life jackets and a cell phone but exposure to the cold water could have taken their lives in a short time, regardless if the air temperature was 80.”
Hanson is strongly discouraging paddle sports this time of year or any time that water conditions aren’t favorable.
“Certainly there are times that our Lake will safely allow it but enthusiasts need to realize what they’re up against if they’re not properly equipped, or don’t have proper experience, or haven’t paid attention to weather forecasts,” he said.
