Three people rescued from Lake Erie near Kingsville, Friday
Three people were rescued from Lake Erie after their speed boat sank near Kingsville, Friday.
"It went from a case of going to help a friend tow a boat, into now we are actually looking for them," said Shawn Chapman who was one of the first to arrive on scene. "They all had their life jackets on. They were holding the boat cushions."
Champman says the distressed boaters called Chapman friend for help from a cellphone – as a mayday call was received by marine assistance at 1 p.m.
Despite waves as high as six feet, Chapman was able to locate the trio, pulling them from the rough water before officials arrived.
Shawn Chapman helped with the rescue of three people after their boat sank - June 19, 2021 (Alana Hadadean / CTV News)
Shawn Chapman at Erie View Marina in Kingsville (Alana Hadadean / CTV News)
"What really helped was when the U.S Coast Guard helicopter came. They were able to tell us over the phone where they were in relation to the helicopter and that's when we found them."
C-Tow Marine Assistance says technology played a key role in locating the three individuals.
"Thank god for the waterproof phones today, because that's pretty much what saved their lives today," said Darin Alderton of C-Tow.
"I was able to talk to them the entire time and they were able to direct us in the water. Without that, I don't know if we would have found them. It's a big lake. When you're searching for someone in a one or two mile radius, it's not easy to find them," said Chapman.
Alderton says they're seeing a huge increase of calls for them as well as the fire department stating they need more safety on the water.
The next step is to recover the vessel which currently remains underwater.
"It looks like it's directly in an entrance of a marina. Our number one goal is safety, so we're going to try to accommodate that and find that vessel and bring it to shore in a safe manner.
Alderton says the 27 or 29 foot boat evidently sank because of the condition of the Lake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'