A stranded kayaker and a boater in distress were both rescued in Keweenaw County Friday morning.
Rescuers from U.S. Coast Station Portage and the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Department were called out around 9:30.
Deputies report that a 58-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman had set out from Lac LaBelle in an 18-foot craft Thursday. The man decided to do some fishing, and the woman elected to take a ride in a kayak she had brought along.
The woman was forced to beach her kayak near the mouth of Hoar Creek at Big Bay, where she spent Thursday night without shelter.
Engine problems disabled the boat, which drifted into Keystone Bay, where it became grounded, and was partially submerged because of heavy waves.
Rescuers were able to locate both people. In each case, county’s personal watercraft was used to ferry the victims to the county patrol boat, which delivered them safely to Copper Harbor.
Deputies then drove them back to Lac LaBelle to retrieve their vehicle. No injuries were reported.