Fairview Township, PA – At 9:45 AM today, the Lake Shore Fire Department was dispatched for a boater in distress approximately 4-5 miles off Walnut Creek Access. In response, Fairview Fire and Rescue, Lake City Fire Company, West County Paramedics, and the United States Coast Guard were also notified and mobilized. The Coast Guard, en route with an estimated arrival time of 25 minutes, coordinated with local first responders as the situation developed.

As crews made their way to Walnut Creek Marina, dispatch relayed that the 16-foot black-and-white vessel was taking on water with a single occupant aboard. Lake Shore’s Utility 504 and Ambulance 507 were first to arrive, establishing shore command. Lake City’s Boat 578 and Rescue 579 arrived shortly after, launching Boat 578, an amphibious SeaLegs craft, with three souls on board: two water rescue technicians from Lake City and one from Lake Shore.

Using GPS coordinates provided by the Erie County Department of Public Safety, Boat 578 searched the area but did not find the distressed vessel immediately. Coordinating with the US Coast Guard, the crew began searching back toward Presque Isle. Around this time, the Coast Guard made contact with the vessel.

Fortunately, the vessel was able to return to Walnut Creek Marina under its own power, escorted by the Coast Guard and Boat 578 as a precaution. Once docked at the courtesy dock, the Coast Guard conducted a routine Vessel Safety Check. All involved crews were then cleared and returned to service. No injuries were reported.