Coast Guard rescues four boaters
Passengers prepared for the elements left on board until morning
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, August 31, 2015
IQALUIT
The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker George R. Peakes recently assisted in the rescue of a small craft near Ward Inlet in Frobisher Bay.
A boat with engine trouble was brought safely aboard the CCGS George R. Pearkes in Frobisher Bay, Aug. 20. - photo courtesy of the Canadian Coast Guard |
Four people on a small boat with engine troubles were stranded 50 nautical miles from Iqaluit on the night of Aug. 20.
The Coast's Guard icebreaker ship travelled to the area but significant ice conditions and low light forced the crew to opt for an early-morning rescue the next day, stated a news release from the Canadian Coast Guard.
The passengers aboard the vessel were doing well and prepared for the elements, with spare food and water, flotation devices and proper cold weather gear.
On the morning of Aug. 21, the Coast Guard used a helicopter to conduct an ice reconnaissance and retrieve three of the four passengers from the disabled craft. The ship's fast-rescue craft was then launched to retrieve the remaining passenger and tow the small craft approximately 15 miles to the icebreaker.
The vessel was lifted onto the icebreaker and brought back to Iqaluit, where passengers safely made it back to shore.
