Bad Axe, MI—The Huron County Sheriff’s Office has issued a strong appeal to lake-goers and boaters to call 911 immediately during emergencies on the water. The statement follows a series of recent incidents in which delays in communication hampered rescue efforts and increased risks.
Recent Incident Near Caseville Sparks Concern
On August 27, a boater facing a critical situation offshore from Caseville, Michigan, called a friend rather than dialing 911 after his boat began taking on water amid rough seas. The friend, located out of state, struggled to contact local emergency services, leading to a delay of over an hour. Huron Central Dispatch only learned of the incident when the friend finally reached out, significantly reducing the search team’s ability to pinpoint the distressed vessel’s location.
Fortunately, the boat reached shore safely in Arenac County. However, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that if the boater had called 911 directly, dispatchers could have quickly plotted his position, asked crucial questions, and initiated a faster response.
Flare Sighting and False Alarms
Another incident on August 25 involved secondhand reports of flares seen off the Geiger Road Public Access in Fairhaven Township. Uncertain of the validity of the information, the Huron County Sheriff’s Office deployed an airboat, while the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to search the area. After several hours, the search was suspended when no missing persons or unaccounted vehicles were found.
The sheriff stressed that if flares were actually set off, a direct call to 911 could have saved substantial resources and time, allowing emergency personnel to respond more effectively.
Previous Incidents Highlight Risks
The press release also referred to a similar situation in early July when a boat was seen circling offshore near Caseville. As night fell, local and Coast Guard personnel conducted an extensive search, fearing that the boat operator had fallen overboard. The search continued until daylight, when the boat was finally located drifting along the shoreline. The operator, who had fallen overboard, managed to swim back to shore despite being struck by his own boat. The sheriff noted that alcohol was a contributing factor in this incident.
Once again, the sheriff emphasized that a prompt call to 911 could have significantly reduced the time and resources required for the search and prevented the escalation of the situation.
Past Tragedies Underscore the Importance of Quick Action
While the recent incidents ended without loss of life, the sheriff recalled a tragic event in 2018, when two ice fishermen died after falling through the ice near Fairhaven Township. The fishermen had left a voicemail for a friend instead of calling 911 directly. By the time the voicemail was discovered, it was too late for rescue efforts.
Sheriff’s Office Urges Boaters To Call 911 For Help
Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson stressed that direct and immediate communication with emergency services is crucial to saving lives during emergencies on the lake. He urged the public to understand the importance of providing firsthand information promptly, stating, “Hopefully, the day will never come when we’re tied up on an unknown false alarm, and our services are needed elsewhere to be the difference between life and death.”
Call to Action for Safety
The Huron County Sheriff’s Office encourages all individuals who witness or experience an emergency on the lake to contact 911 at the first opportunity. The Sheriff’s Office also asks the media to help convey the importance of timely and direct communication during emergencies, to ensure swift and effective responses in the future.
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