ELK RAPIDS – Michigan State Police troopers responded to a sinking boat call in Elk Rapids at 7:05 a.m. yesterday.
A 48-year-old Leelanau man and 54-year-old Long Lake man were on a 21-foot aluminum fishing boat when the motor fell off causing it to take on water and eventually capsize. Both men were thrown in the water. They were able to hold on to the boat, which eventually corrected itself, but continue to slowly sink. The boat owner called 911 for help.
Trooper Nicholas Reszka arrived on scene and could see the distressed vessel from shore. He could not see any individuals on or around the boat. Reszka requested assistance for nearby boat owners to attempt a rescue. He knocked on the door of a nearby residence and the homeowner quickly grabbed the keys to his jet ski and handed Reszka a life jacket.
As Reszka approached the boat he noticed there were two other boats behind him coming to assist. One was a rescue vessel from the Elk Rapids Fire Department and the other was another fishing boat.
Reszka was able to see two men standing on the sinking boat chest deep in water. One man was rescued by the fishing boat and the other by Reszka. Both men were extremely cold and near exhaustion. It was later estimated the men had been in the 49-degree water for approximately 35 minutes.
Both men declined medical treatment once on shore. The boat was removed from the water by Sea Tow
