ASHTABULA, Ohio — Lake Erie provides many exciting and relaxing experiences for boaters, but in the blink of an eye conditions can turn deadly. Recent incidents on the Ashtabula County shoreline and on Lake Erie are a reminder of the danger of the beautiful lake. On Saturday, the U.
S. Coast Guard, the Ashtabula County Water Rescue Team, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lake County fire departments and other agencies rescued seven people from two different boats that capsized. Another boater died and another is still missing, according to U.
S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Christopher Yaw. He said the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is leading recovery efforts regarding the missing boater, who was several miles north of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant.
Five boaters who were rescued while hanging from a cooler were all wearing life jackets. “Life jackets are extremely important when boating. More so it is important to be properly wearing one at all times while on the water as you never know when you might accidentally fall in,” Yaw said.
He said high-technology instruments can also be life-savers. “A personal locator beacon is a huge plus as well since it can transmit their exact GPS location to rescuers once activated. We don’t suggest that boaters rely on a cell phone as their only means of calling for help .
.. and it might stop working if they get wet,” he said.
“Signal flares and other distress markers are encouraged too, and in some cases, re.
