LAKE SUPERIOR – Two paddleboarders drifting far from shore on Lake Superior were rescued Aug. 8 by two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in Ontonagon County.
At about 3:30 p.m., Conservation Officer Ethen Mapes received a call from Negaunee Regional Dispatch/DNR Report All Poaching Hotline about two paddleboarders in distress near Ontonagon.
“They were in good condition overall but just could not paddle against the strong wind to get back to shore,” said Conservation Officer Pete Shambaugh, who Mapes called to assist.
The women, ages 29 of Minnesota and 37 of Illinois, were originally from Ontonagon. Dispatchers provided an approximate GPS location showing them a mile from shore and 1.5 miles west of town.
Mapes and Shambaugh quickly reached Ontonagon Village Marina and boarded an Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Office patrol boat. By 4:08 p.m., they had located the women.
“With the strong south wind, they had drifted another mile and were now about 2 miles from shore,” Mapes said. “Neither had a life jacket, and they had lost one paddle. One had never been on a paddleboard before.”
The officers brought the women aboard and returned them to the beach where they had started.
“The quick lifesaving response by these two officers is commendable,” said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Jason Haines. “The incident also illustrates how Great Lakes weather, inexperience and a lack of safety precautions can quickly lead to dangerous situations.”
DNR paddleboard safety tips:
- Wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Use a leash to stay connected to your board.
- Carry a waterproof phone.
- Keep a whistle for emergencies.
- Check weather forecasts before launching.
- Know your skill level and limits.
- Learn basic paddling techniques.
- Wear a wetsuit or drysuit in cold water.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who protect natural resources, ensure recreational safety, and perform lifesaving operations. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.
