Crime & Safety
Coast Guard Credits Boating Savvy, Strong Cell Phone Signal for Lake Rescue
Three men were pulled safely from Lake Michigan 11 miles from Lake Forest on Sunday after their boat capsized.
The nautical savvy of three men who capsized on Lake Michigan 11 miles east of Lake Forest on Sunday probably saved their lives, U.S. Coast Guard officials told the Lake County News-Sun.
And good cell phone reception didn't hurt either.
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The Lake Forest Police Department contacted the the Coast Guard at about 11:45 a.m. Sunday, June 5, after receiving a 911 call from one of the boaters' cell phones, according to the News-Sun. In about a half hour, a response boat based in Wilmette that was already out on exercises was able to rescue the men, who were smartly wearing life jackets and stayed with their vessel.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Brendan Smith told the News-Sun he was impressed the men were able to call Lake Forest's 911 center, given the usual 10-mile limitation of cell phones:
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"The fact that they were 11 miles out and able to get a cell phone signal is amazing to me."
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