U.S. Coast Guard in Sault Saint Marie led an exhaustive international search for two people that went into the water while kayaking near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Thursday, Sep. 16, 2021.
The initial call came in at around 8:30 p.m. from a mariner stating they were in the water and in
distress. Coast Guard Sector Sault Saint Marie launched a response boat from Small Boat Station
Marquette and a rescue helicopter from Air Station Traverse City. Both assets searched late into the
night in arduous conditions.
“Our crews braved difficult search conditions with winds blowing at over 30 knots and seas of five to
seven feet,” said Capt. Anthony Jones, Sector Commander in Sault Saint Marie.
A first light search commenced early this morning and involved Coast Guard boats and helicopters as
well as C-130s from the Canadian Coast Guard and Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, NC.
Surface assets from the National Park Service searched the shoreline along Pictured Rocks while
Alger County response teams searched from land. A fixed wing asset from the Civil Air Patrol also
aided in the search.
Both bodies were recovered a few miles offshore from Pictured Rocks. Resuscitation efforts were
attempted for both but were not successful.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those lost. We searched for them as if they were members of our
own family,” said Cmdr. Mike Courtney, Search and Rescue Mission Controller for the northern
Great Lakes. “While I am saddened by the outcome, I couldn’t be more proud of the crews from the
Coast Guard and our counterparts in Canada for their tireless efforts.”
The search covered more than 516 square miles and used assets from the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian
Coast Guard, National Park Service, and the Civil Air Patrol, and the Alger County Sheriff’s
Department.
ORIGINAL STORY
Two kayakers were reported missing the evening of September 16th, 2021.
The National Park Service, along with other federal and state agencies, have responded with ongoing search and rescue operations. Search and rescue operations have included the use of aircraft such as a C130 and a rescue helicopter.
At this time, one fatality has been confirmed and crews are continuing to search for the other missing person.
As details become available, additional information will be released.
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