VIDEO: Coast Guard Airlifts 4 Stranded Girls From Lake Superior Island

Aug 18

Video of the rescue via United States Coast Guard

Four girls were rescued from Lake Superior after being stranded on a small island near Silver Bay on Saturday evening.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the girls had taken their paddleboards from Black Beach around 8:05 p.m. and made their way to the smaller of two nearby islands, where they lost their paddles and became unable to return.

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The girls’ parents contacted authorities, and Silver Bay police met with them at the beach while Lake County deputies responded to the scene with a sheriff’s office boat. Due to large waves on the lake, deputies instead boarded a former U.S. Coast Guard vessel operated by Silver Bay Marina Manager Mike Ettel, which was better suited for the conditions. Deputies located the girls on the island and instructed them to remain in place.

The Minnesota Air Rescue Team from Saint Paul was requested but could not respond because of weather. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan, was sent instead. Meanwhile, members of Lake County Rescue established a rope relay between the larger and smaller islands, which allowed them to deliver blankets and food to the stranded girls, who were wearing only swimsuits and at risk of becoming cold.

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Around 1 a.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard helicopter arrived and lifted all four girls from the island, transporting them to a landing zone set up by the Silver Bay Fire Department in a nearby business park. Authorities said the girls, ages 14, 13, 10 and 8, were returned safely to their parents.

Responding agencies included the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Rescue Squad, Silver Bay Police Department, Silver Bay Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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