DULUTH -- Three kayakers on Lake Superior were rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard crew Sunday afternoon, after using a marine radio to report they had been overwhelmed by strong winds.
According to the Coast Guard, a boat crew stationed in Grand Marais was dispatched about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after Coast Guard monitors heard the mayday broadcast.
The kayakers – two men and a woman – were apparently on their way from Grand Portage to an island just off shore. Northwest winds at the time were blowing up to 25 mph, and the Coast Guard reported 5 foot high waves in the area.
The Coast Guard boat found the kayakers about 5 p.m., brought them on board, and towed their kayaks back to the Grand Portage marina
All three kayakers were wearing their life jackets and reported no serious injuries.
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“The importance of having a reliable means of communication can’t be stressed enough,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Hill, one of the Coast Guard’s crew stationed at Grand Marais. “By taking along a handheld marine radio with GPS capabilities, these boaters helped us to help them.”
