New Baltimore Marine Division Rescues Kayaker in Lake St. Clair

Just days after launching a patrol boat in New Baltimore, the marine division performed its first rescue Saturday of a kayaker in Lake St. Clair. 

Police Officer Sean Yax and Reserve Marine Officer Ken Hollowell performed the water rescue while on the vessel, named "The Wiz" after late New Baltimore Police Reserve Patrick Wisniewski. They came upon a capsized kayak that was partially submerged after winds exceeded 50 mph, according to Police Chief Tim Wiley. 

The man, who was not wearing a lifejacket, was trying to maintain grasp of his overturned kayak just off the city's coastline. Marine officers threw him a life ring and brought him onboard the patrol boat because he was in a "fatigued physical state." The kayak was towed to the city's public boat docks in Walter and Mary Burke Park, Wiley stated. 

The rescue came five days after the city dedicated the patrol boat and public boat docks that was praised by local leaders promoting safety and tourism in the waterside community.