Image Credit: Contributed/COSAR
April 25, 2014 - 9:49 AM
WEST KELOWNA - The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team hit the water late Wednesday night to hunt for a man who set out on a 36' sailboat in the morning and was caught in a storm.
COSAR deployed six members on the rescue boat Sheila Sweatman to an area of Shelter Bay on Okanagan Lake. They were told the missing sailor left the marina at 11 a.m. and by 11 p.m. failed to contact anyone. Within 30 minutes the man was located. He explained he was caught in a storm and while attempting to return to shore ran out of gas. To make matters worse, when he called for assistance he discovered his cell phone wasn't charged and his marine radio was not operational.
The man and his boat were found just south of Shelter Bay. The boat was in good shape and a COSAR member was able to board and help the man sail the boat home.
Due to conditions on the water and to save time, the boat was towed by COSAR, back to Shelter Bay Marina.
COSAR is reminding people to take time to ensure everything on board the boat is operational and all safety equipment is present, including a working radio, flashlight and flares to signal for help.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014