Boaters Rescued in Lake Michigan Saturday in Dense Fog

RACINE -- A Racine couple was rescued Saturday about a mile offshore in Lake Michigan after the boat they were in was taking on water while the boat's engine would not start.

According to the Racine County Sheriff's office, the Sheriff's Water Patrol received a phone call from United States Coast Guard Station Kenosha regarding a 17 foot boat that would not start and was taking on water about one mile off shore in Lake Michigan east of the Racine Harbor.

Visibility was less than 30 feet due to very dense fog.

Racine County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol responded to the scene and made contact with the operator who was actively pumping water from his boat. It was undetermined where the water was entering the boat and the dewatering pumps kept the boat from sinking. Racine County Sheriff’s Office

Water Patrol towed this boat to the Fifth Street Boat Launch where the operator was able to remove his boat from the water on to a trailer.

The boat operator was a 64 year old Racine resident was fishing with his 48 year old wife at the time of this incident.

A boat inspection was completed and the operator was issued a written 10 day compliance warning to register his boat.