Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
By Jeffery Loman & Andy Chosa
September 19, 2016
L’Anse Indian Reservation, MI – The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) is providing over $20,000 worth of robotic
lifesaving equipment and training to enhance the water rescue capabilities of first responders in Marquette.
In response to the tragedy that claimed the lives of two young people in June at Little Presque Isle, the Great Lakes Unmanned Systems Center (GLUSC), a subsidiary of Aanikoosing Inc., KBIC’s economic development corporation, will soon deliver two Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyards (E.M.I.L.Y) Emergency Rescue Systems to the Marquette City Fire Department and the MDNR officials who manage Little Presque Isle State Park.
The E.M.I.L.Y. ERS is a 4-ft long remote controlled buoy that can cruise 
through ripcurrents and heavy waves at speeds up to 22 mph
to reach distressed swimmers.
Aanikoosing Inc. recently entered into an exclusive sales and
distribution agreement with Hydronalix, the Arizona based manufacturer of the E.M.I.L.Y. ERS.
Through the GLUSC, KBIC hopes to bring this tremendous lifesaving capability to all 7 Great Lakes States and Canada.
KBIC’s President Chris Swartz stated; “There have been 78 drownings in the Great Lakes thus far this year and 4 people are listed in critical condition. We see this new business as much more than making a profit, we want it to make a difference!”
