Marine radio improved fire response
ALPENA, Mich. — We have some clearer details about Friday’s boat fire.
The Coast Guard got the first distress call at about 2 PM on Friday. The call came directly from the two boaters in distress, who had a marine radio. While an off–duty paramedic rescued the pair after they jumped overboard, other boaters kept an eye on the fire until help arrived.
The marine sanctuary tour boat Lady Michigan played a major putting out the fire.
The boat sank at roughly 3:30 PM.
Coast guard officer Jeremy Sergey said the boaters were smart to buy a radio for their vessel.
“Luckily this vessel had a marine radio. We always recommend people buy a marine radio. They were able to make a distress call on channel 16, which was a very good move on [the boater’s] part. They also were able to grab their flotation devices.”
The Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources will determine if any salvage is necessary based on potential pollution.
