Good Samaritan, Coast Guard, Lakeshore Fire and Rescue Save Four from Lake; BOLAND Photos

As first reported on the Erie Shipping News's Twitter account at 1040 hours Friday, a boater fishing in 70 feet of water off of Elk Creek called Coast Guard Station Erie and reported a 25 foot vessel sinking in a position of 42' 08.817 North, 080' 18.500 West with four persons on board. The four men went into the water when their boat capsized shortly thereafter. The good samaritan managed to pull all of the men out of Lake Erie and headed for Walnut Creek Boat Access, where emergency medical technicians were being sent. The vessel rendezvoused with Lakeshore Fire and Rescue Vessel 509 off of Walnut Creek and transfered the victims to 509 at 1116 hours. Of the four victims, one was showing signs of hypothermia and was taken to shore and quickly transferred to EMS and taken to St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment.

At that time Lakeshore Towing's towboat ENDURANCE and USCG 25573 headed for the swamped vessel. Neither managed to arrive before the boat sank. The vessel is a total loss in about 70 feet of water.

New York State's environmental research vessel ARGO spent last night at Wolverine Marina.

Below are photos of the JOHN J. BOLAND, J.S. St. JOHN and ARGO. Video of the St. JOHN is also below, and I will post the BOLAND video tomorrow.

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J.S. St. JOHN outbound at 1830 hours Thursday with the BOLAND in the background.


Another view.


Stern view.


BOLAND lifts its lifeboat after conducting a fire and boat drill.


1945 hours, turning after unloading.


In the channel.


Outbound.


Close up, departing in ballast for Toledo.


Stern view.


ARGO at Wolverine Marina this morning.