Woman Rescued From Lake Huron After Drifting 5 Miles Off MI Coast

ALPENA, MI — Officials rescued a woman from Lake Huron after she drifted five miles off a northern Michigan coast while on a float Monday, according to the Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes.

The 32-year-old woman texted her significant other at 7:20 p.m. Monday, saying that her inflatable had floated roughly 30 yards off Thunder Bay in Alpena and needed help to get back, officials said.

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A boat crew from the St. Ignace station and a helicopter crew from Traverse City were called out to rescue the woman, officials said.

Officials said the helicopter crew found the woman first roughly five miles offshore. They deployed a rescue swimmer to help safely hoist the woman to the aircraft, officials said.

"We recommend that boaters, paddlers, and anyone enjoying the water make an emergency communication plan and carry a portable marine radio, a personal locator beacon, or other signaling devices in case you need to call for help unexpectedly," Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson said. "Thanks to close coordination and teamwork between our crew, we were able to assist someone in need."