Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson reports that a relaxing Sunday evening turned tense for one St. Clair Shores woman after she was stranded offshore on an innertube and required rescue by the Sheriff’s Office patrol boat.
On Sunday, June 18 around 5:40 p.m., deputies responded in the department’s Caseville based patrol boat to the Sleeper State Park area to a report of a woman being stranded offshore on an innertube. Her husband had called dispatch reporting she was drifting uncontrollably out into open Lake Huron off of that Lake Township location, and was unable to get back to shore.
Deputies arrived to find her around 1⁄2 mile offshore with 2 kayakers attempting to assist her. However, the wind and current were of such that they were unable to make any headway.
The St. Clair Shores woman was then brought aboard the patrol boat and taken to the Caseville Harbor, where she was checked out by EMS personnel, having been in mid-60 degree water for around 90 minutes. She was released a short time later to awaiting family.
Beach goers are advised that water temperatures are still cool, especially the further you get off shore. Hypothermia is very real during prolonged exposure to it and should not be taken for granted. Further, always use caution when using beach toys on days the wind is coming from shore. Even light breezes can be difficult to overcome without a paddle or some other type of a propulsion device.
