MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Navigation Patrol was busy this past weekend responding to at least three separate incidents of distressed boats on both Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake.
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE BOAT FIRE
On Saturday just before noon, the patrol came upon a vessel with smoke and flames coming from the back of the boat while on routine patrol of Chautauqua Lake near Bemus Point. All six occupants of the boat were able to exit the vessel onto a nearby pontoon and none were injured. The Bemus Point Fire Department helped to extinguish the fire and the boat was towed to shore at Long Point State Park. The Chautauqua County HAZMAT Team was also called to the scene to clean up leaking fuel from damaged vessel. The owner of the boat was identified as Edward Guy of Willoughby, OH – who said an electrical malfunction caused the fire.
LAKE ERIE FISHING BOAT RESCUE
Image courtesy of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile four men were rescued Sunday after their 20-foot fishing boat began taking on water on Lake Erie near Dunkirk. Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies say the incident happened about 1:30 p.m. The boat was said to be approximately two miles off shore and east of the City of Dunkirk before dispatch lost contact with the victims. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit conducted a search and eventually found the boat approximately four miles off shore in the Town of Sheridan. The boat was submerged over its bow and taking on further water. The four victims were wearing personal floatation devices and were safely transferred to the Sheriff’s Marine vessel. Attempts were make to salvage the boat but were unsuccessful and the boat had to be let go. The four victims were uninjured and safely transported to Dunkirk City Pier.
PITTSBURGH MAN RESCUED AFTER CATAMARAN CAPSIZES
Sheriff deputies were busy early Friday night helping a distressed boater two miles from the Shores of Lake Erie in the town of Portland. The sheriff’s water patrol began a search for catamaran operator Robert Wilson of Pittsburgh when he failed to report to shore just after 6 p.m. At about 8:30 pm he was located sitting on top of his overturned catamaran. Sheriff’s Marine unit was able to safely rescue Wilson and transport him to Dunkirk Harbor where he was medically checked and turned over to family members.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds boaters that everyone on board any vessel including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards must have a proper personal floatation device (“life jacket”) on board the vessel. It is also recommended to make a “float plan” to advise friends/family of the details of your trip, safety equipment, and boat description.
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