Archive image: A crew member assigned to Coast Guard Station Manistee is hoisted into a Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter on January 30, 2024, as part of a training exercise on Manistee Lake, Manistee, Michigan.
The crew conducted ice helicopter operations with Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to enhance their rescue training techniques during the winter season.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Christine Bills.
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Lauofo, Coast Guard Great Lakes
CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of a 32-year-old woman who drifted 5 nautical miles away from shore on a float in Lake Huron, Thunder Bay near Alpena, Michigan. Monday, July 13, 2026.
Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes watchstanders received a notification at 7:20 p.m. that the woman had drifted approximately 30 yards offshore and texted her significant other that she was in need of assistance.
Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB), launched a Coast Guard Station St. Ignace boatcrew, and coordinated with Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to launch an MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew to conduct the SAR mission.
The MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived on scene, located the woman and deployed the rescue swimmer, who hoisted the woman from the water to the aircraft. Once onboard, the rescue aircrew transported the woman to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel awaiting at the Air Station Traverse City.
“We recommend that boaters, paddlers, and anyone enjoying the water make an emergency communication plan and carry a portable marine radio, a personal locator beacon (PLB), or other signaling devices in case you need to call for help unexpectedly,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson, Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes Command Center Supervisor. “Thanks to close coordination and teamwork between our crew, we were able to assist someone in need.”
–USCG–
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