
Multi-Agency Rescue Launched After Vessel Distress Call Off Walnut Creek
Fairview Township, PA – A significant multi-agency water rescue operation unfolded this afternoon following a distress report involving two individuals in the water approximately 4 to 4.5 miles offshore from the Walnut Creek Access area along the Lake Erie shoreline. The multi-agency operation required a combination of air, marine, and land-based assets.
Around 4:00 PM, Fairview Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the area after Erie County dispatchers received a report from the United States Coast Guard. Given the severity and offshore nature of the incident, additional units from Lake City Fire Company and Lake Shore Fire Department were immediately requested. Chief 500 also requested water assets from West Lake Fire Department’s water rescue team.
As crews mobilized, dispatch confirmed that the original report came directly from the Coast Guard and that the incident was estimated to be over four miles offshore. Multiple agencies quickly coordinated to deploy both land-based and marine resources.
Lake Shore units 508, 504, and 518 responded directly to Walnut Creek Marina to prepare watercraft for launch. Lake City’s Rescue Boat 578 was deployed from Avonia Beach using the department’s Sea Legs amphibious vessel, with three personnel on board. Meanwhile, Lake City’s 579, 566, and 568 responded to Walnut Creek Access to support the land-based command structure. Boat 519, also carrying three crew members, launched from Walnut Creek Marina and headed toward the last known coordinates of the distressed vessel. Boat 518, with two crew members on board, followed shortly thereafter. An additional Sea Legs unit from West Lake launched from Bear Beach to assist with search efforts. The coordinated response highlighted the versatility of the fleet and its ability to launch from multiple locations to arrive on scene quickly.
Once on scene, Coast Guard crews reported visual confirmation of a vessel and advised that two individuals were aboard. However, the situation remained fluid. Boat 519 was instructed to hold in a staging area as the Coast Guard led a grid-based search pattern. Shortly afterward, the Coast Guard reported discovering two life preservers floating in the search area, prompting additional grid searches from all vessels. Lake City Boat 568 joined the operation from Walnut Creek Marina to expand the search zone.
A U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Detroit was deployed to provide aerial reconnaissance and assist with visual tracking. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officers also arrived at the scene to support both the rescue operation and the ongoing investigation.
A few hours into the search, fire department-based assets reconvened at Walnut Creek Access to regroup and develop a revised game plan. Sonar capabilities were brought online to begin underwater sweeps, with Boat 578 taking the lead on sonar operations.
As the search continued, a unified command post was established, operated jointly by representatives from Coast Guard Station Erie, Fish and Boat Commission officers, Pennsylvania State Police troopers, and land-based command at Walnut Creek Access. Together, they assessed findings and determined next steps. The vessel involved in the incident was ultimately towed back to Walnut Creek Marina by Lake Shore Towing.
No further information is currently available. Crews have continued their search efforts into the evening, and authorities remain on scene investigating.