Kayaker Rescued After Boat Starts Sinking In Lake Michigan
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A kayaker was saved after calling for help on a ship-to-shore radio Wednesday afternoon after his kayak started sinking on Lake Michigan, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
"We were all surprised, usually kayakers go out there and they have nothing, he had a good radio. I heard him perfectly," said a Police Marine Unit officer who asked not to be named.
The man, 52, was pulled out of the water, along with his sinking kayak at about 3:45 p.m. nearly two miles east of Monroe Harbor after two police boats and a life guard boat heard his call over the radio.
"He was wise enough to know he needed a water-proof portable hand-held radio and a good life jacket," said the marine unit officer. "A cellphone wouldn't have worked, cell phones and water doesn't get along well."
A rogue wave or the wake from a passing boat swamped the man's kayak.
Rescuers found the man clinging to the sinking vessel.
"He wasn't injured and was just thankful to get back Burnham Harbor. He said he was going to go for a bike ride," the officer said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
