Lake Huron Rescue Ends Safely for Ann Arbor Couple in Harrowing Conditions

Michigan DNR officers and local law enforcement worked together on a Lake Huron rescue of two stranded boaters, ending a dangerous situation without injuries. The two Ann Arbor residents safely returned to shore after rough weather stranded them off Point Au Gres.

Boating Safety Remains Critical As Michigan Waters Warm Up

AU GRES, Mich. — A sailing trip turned dangerous Tuesday afternoon when a 76-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman from Ann Arbor were stranded in Lake Huron after their sailboat ran aground in rough water and high winds off Point Au Gres in Arenac County.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the boaters had launched from the Point Au Gres Marina and Campground with the intention of sailing to a slip they own at Tawas Marina, approximately 20 miles north. At 2:10 p.m., a 911 call reported a potential capsized vessel near North Rumsey Road.

Swift Response by DNR and Local Law Enforcement Prevents Tragedy

Conservation Officers Josh Jobin and Craig Neal, patrolling nearby, launched an 18-foot patrol boat from the Au Gres River Mouth public access and were guided by Arenac County Sheriff’s deputies to the boat’s location about 400 yards offshore.

The two boaters, both wearing life jackets, were safely brought aboard and transported to shore at a private launch on Santiago Road, operated by the Au Gres Boat Club Association. No medical attention was required.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department assisted in the operation. The sailboat remained moored at the incident site as of the release.

Ann Arbor Sailors’ Ordeal Underscores Importance of Life Jackets

The DNR emphasized that the incident occurred on the last day of National Safe Boating Week, a national awareness campaign promoting the use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and proactive monitoring of weather conditions.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s latest report, 75% of all boating fatalities involve drowning, and 87% of those victims were not wearing life jackets. This rescue’s outcome reinforces the agency’s message.

Conservation Officers Play Expanding Role in Public Safety

The officers involved represent a growing law enforcement presence trained not only in wildlife and natural resource protection but also in emergency response. Jobin has served since 2023, and Neal since 2015, both actively patrolling Arenac County.

These dual-capacity officers reflect the state’s broader public safety strategy, balancing conservation with readiness for water and land-based emergencies.

Public Awareness Critical as Boating Season Begins

The DNR’s continued outreach urges residents to check forecasts, avoid risky conditions, and stay connected with marine safety alerts. With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of boating season in Michigan, incidents like this serve as a timely reminder of the hazards even experienced boaters can face.

Learn more about boating safety and the role of conservation officers at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

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