Coast Guard rescues missing kayaker near North Bass Island

8/2/2013

NORTH BASS ISLAND, Ohio - A missing kayaker was rescued tonight off the west side of North Bass Island by the Marblehead Coast Guard.

A man capsized his kayak near the island, while he and his brother were rowing separate boats on the north tip of North Bass Island, said officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, Detroit station.

When one of the men looked back, he discovered that his brother was gone and called 911 at 4:40 p.m., authorities said

According to Detroit Coast Guard officials, the Marblehead Coast Guard station, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office sent out small rescue boats. Air Station Detroit sent a helicopter. The Put-in-Bay harbor master and a second helicopter were also involved in the search.

Helicopter personnel located the individual hanging onto his kayak at about 5:35 p.m. in an area west of North Bass Island, the Detroit Coast Guard said. The man was brought ashore by boat at 5:40 p.m., officials said

The man did not require medical care, Detroit station officials confirmed, and he was not transported to a hospital.

The identity of the two brothers was not released.