CORRECTED: Coast Guard rescues 2 people in Lake Erie

CLEVELAND — A 19-foot vessel continues to take on water in Lake Erie after U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued two people from the distressed vessel, August 3, 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people after their 19-foot vessel began taking on water in Lake Erie, approximately 10 miles north of Ashtabula, Ohio., at about 1:15 p.m., August 3, 2010.

The Coast Guard received a distress call via VHF-FM Channel 16, reporting the vessel taking on water, at about 11:45 a.m. and immediately launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Detroit and a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft (SPC-LE) and 25-foot Response Boat-Small (RBS) crew from Station Ashtabula.

Crewmembers aboard the HH-65 located the vessel in distress, deployed a rescue swimmer and hoisted both boaters into the aircraft.

The boaters were taken to Ashtabula Airport and no injuries were reported.

All mariners are encouraged to invest in a VHF-FM marine-band radio as their primary means of communication on the water. VHF-FM marine-band radios are far more reliable than cells phones in the marine environment. VHF-FM Channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel, is monitored by the Coast Guard and state marine patrols around the clock. In addition, distress calls broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16 will be heard by all mariners in the vicinity. Urgent safety information and weather reports for boaters are also broadcast over marine band radio channels.

For more information or media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs office at 216-902-6020.

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