(Photo by KCE Reader MJ)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A boat appropriately named “Double Trouble” found itself in some serious trouble on Lake Michigan Saturday morning when it began taking on water with five adults aboard, prompting a large response from emergency crews and numerous boaters who tried to help.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Krueger told Kenosha County Eye Saturday afternoon that there was initially considerable confusion about exactly where Double Trouble was located. Numerous boats were attempting to assist, and latitude and longitude information being relayed to emergency crews was ambiguous.
Ultimately, Krueger said authorities determined Double Trouble was 6.5 miles due east of 52nd Street in Lake Michigan.
The confusion over the location can be heard in Kenosha Fire Department radio traffic. Fire personnel initially searched from the harbor and reported looking both north and south without seeing the vessel. Crews had a drone and pilot available, but dispatch subsequently clarified that the distressed boat was farther out in Lake Michigan.
The Kenosha County Dive Team launched its boat and made it to Double Trouble before the U.S. Coast Guard arrived, according to Krueger.
Krueger said Dive Team members were in the water and ready to help if needed, but fortunately they did not have to take meaningful rescue action. The Kenosha County Dive Team is a multi-agency team commanded by Somers Fire Chief Ben Anderson.
(Photo by KCE Reader MJ)
At about 10:37 a.m., radio traffic confirmed that local marine units had reached the distressed boat. Kenosha Fire command described Double Trouble at the time as a “sinking vessel,” and firefighters reported that the boat was taking on water with five adults aboard. All five appeared able to move on their own, and there was no reported need for emergency medical treatment.
Despite the danger, the five adults aboard Double Trouble chose to remain on their boat during the rescue and tow. Radio traffic initially indicated responders were preparing to move them onto another vessel, but that plan changed when all five elected to stay aboard.
(Photo by KCE Reader MJ)
Numerous other boats were also trying to help Double Trouble, according to Krueger. A boat named Fish Hunter II seemingly helped tow Double Trouble toward safety as emergency marine crews accompanied the vessel back toward Kenosha.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded from Milwaukee and eventually arrived on scene after the County Dive Team. Once the Coast Guard joined the operation, Kenosha Fire personnel reported there were no medical emergencies and began releasing resources that were no longer needed.
At about 11:34 a.m., Double Trouble was nearing Kenosha as the operation continued.
The boat eventually cleared the breakwall and entered Kenosha Harbor. Radio traffic indicated the Coast Guard assisted after the vessels entered the harbor, while the County Dive Boat was released back to the dock.
Krueger told KCE that Double Trouble never actually sank, but was in danger of sinking. He did not know Saturday afternoon what caused the vessel to begin taking on water.
After making it safely back to shore, Double Trouble was lifted out of Lake Michigan at the yacht club, Krueger said.
All five adults aboard made it safely back to Kenosha, and no injuries were reported.
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