Storm overturns sailboat off Old Mission Peninsula, sparks rescue

A sailboat overturned in high winds off Old Mission Peninsula and drew Grand Traverse Metro Emergency crews into East Bay on Wednesday, July 1, as a fast-moving storm turned a summer outing into a rescue.

Grand Traverse Metro Emergency crews went out on the water to tow the boat back to shore after the storm caught the sailor by surprise. Operations Chief Tony Posey said the main dangers in cases like this are hypothermia and drowning. He said the man aboard the sailboat was not hurt, did not need medical attention, and was wearing both a wetsuit and a life jacket when crews reached him.

National Weather Service Gaylord, Michigan, issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Grand Traverse County, Leelanau County, and Benzie County. Storms were moving east at 60 mph and could bring 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. The region was also expected to stay active through Friday with multiple rounds of thunderstorms, along with the possibility of large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall.

A Small Craft Advisory was in effect for Grand Traverse Bay south of a line from Grand Traverse Light to Norwood, signaling hazardous conditions for smaller vessels. It warned inexperienced mariners, especially those in smaller boats, to stay out of dangerous water.

Grand Traverse County has five certified marine officers who patrol most of the county’s lakes, along with a specialized dive team trained for emergency marine rescue. Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority has provided fire and life-safety service to Acme Township, East Bay, and Garfield Township since 1980.

County officials also point residents to WTCM 103.5 FM and WTCM 580 AM as the designated emergency alert system stations for northwest Michigan during a major emergency or local state of emergency.