JULY 15, 2026 — The Coast Guard rescued a 32-year-old woman who drifted 5 miles away from shore on a float in Thunder Bay near Alpena, Michigan, Monday.
Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes watchstanders received a notification at 7:20 p.m. that the woman had drifted approximately 30 yards offshore and texted her significant other that she was in need of assistance.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, launched a Coast Guard Station St. Ignace boatcrew, and coordinated with Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to launch an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene, located the woman and deployed a rescue swimmer, who hoisted the woman from the water to the aircraft.
The crew transported the woman to emergency medical services at the air station.
“We recommend that boaters, paddlers, and anyone enjoying the water make an emergency communication plan and carry a portable marine radio, a personal locator beacon, or other signaling devices in case you need to call for help unexpectedly,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson, Sector Northern Great Lakes Command Center Supervisor. “Thanks to close coordination and teamwork between our crew, we were able to assist someone in need.”
For more information, please contact Lt. Hanna Robinson, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City Public Affairs Officer at 206-831-3132 or via email at Hanna.J.Robinson@uscg.mil.
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Lauofo
U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes
USCG