Unforgiving Lake Michigan, 3 Missing

Ratickle

Founding Member / Super Moderator
The Lake has been extremely rough the past few days. It is supposed to be again today with 10 foot forecast. But, 3 seperate incidents, 3 total missing, all on Saturday.... I'll try to get this as correct as possible.

Holland, Mi - Yesterday we saw the Coast Guard helicopter running slowly just out over the lake. Wondered what was going on. Well, I guess there were jet skiers out of Holland Saturday jumping the big stuff and as of yesterday, one had not returned. A 33 year old Holland resident with 3 kids. Very experienced jet skier, had a life jacket, wet suit, helmet all on. Yesterday they found the helmet and a piece of the ski, today they will start searching again, but the Coast Guard will not participate.

Traverse, Mi - I guess a 59 year old was using his dingy to get out to his acchored sailboat, disappeared Saturday. They found the dingy, no sign of him yet. The search will start again today.

New Buffalo, Mi - Three kayaks went out to play in the surf Saturday, all three overturned around 5:00 PM, but all had lifejackets on. Two made it to shore, the third fell out of his lifejacket and is missing. They said several times he was close to shore but the rough surf made it impossible to get him? The search will start again this morning.
 
It's tough to describe the steepness, closeness, and frequency of the waves that can develop on the great lakes to people who have never been up here. That's why wave height alone doesn't tell the story. I picture jet skiing up the side of a barn.
 
There was a windsurfer on the bay in TC this weekend. Pushing the limits for yourself is one thing, but when you include all the normal people who have to come looking for you, that stinks!
 
The guy that is missing here in Holland is my neighbor's son who owned P.W.C service ,and repair ...... very nice people .

I sure hope he makes it. Of the three, he seems to be the only one who has the equipment and experience to have a chance.
 
VERY sad:( all accounts
A manager that I used to work with lived down that way(Holland area) and his son owned and operated a PWC service. Hope not the same.
Saw and HEARD the Coast Guard chopper go overhead yesterday. It was headed SE but made me wonder where they were going...
 
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Tells you something when the coast guard won't launch a boat, and sends a helicopter. BTW... A Helicopter from the Detroit Station ultimately sent a swimmer down and hoisted all four hunters to the helicopter.

The full context of Adam's "had a right to be there" quote from the local coast guard spokesman Bill Campbell, is that although they had a right to be out there, this isthe wrong time of year to underestimate Lake Erie, and that that people should "just monitor the weather, and if you see something like this today, maybe pick another weekend to go duck hunting."
 
The gentleman from Northport moved his sailbaot to the marina, then left his dingy on the buoy. He then went back out to diny with his canoe. Found the canoe, have not found him!
 
The gentleman from Northport moved his sailbaot to the marina, then left his dingy on the buoy. He then went back out to diny with his canoe. Found the canoe, have not found him!

Would it not have been easier and safer to just tow the dingy with the snailboat??
 
Read that and am laughing my azz off (Both guys are safe).......



Brand new boat, geeeezzzzzz



I think we should go apply for the jobs opening up......

No joke! I think that boat should have been able to handle those sea's no problem... most likley inexperienced drivers...
 
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