At 7:51pm on Oct. 3, the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an unoccupied boat that had crashed into the break wall in the 13000 block of S. West Bay Shore in Elmwood Township.

The boat was still under power when it crashed.

First responders heard screams for help coming from the water towards the east, and a good Samaritan boat with fire & rescue personnel on board immediately headed to the general vicinity, where two Traverse City men ages 60 and 59 were rescued from Grand Traverse Bay.

The 60-year-old was subsequently arrested and lodged at the Leelanau County jail for boating while intoxicated. An investigation revealed that the subjects had been out boating in Grand Traverse Bay throughout the day on the boat, which was relatively new to them.

While heading back to shore, the driver of the vessel had leaned over the side of the boat to check the exhaust when he lost his balance and fell overboard. His companion saw this happen and fell overboard while trying to assist.

The sheriff’s office was assisted on scene by Elmwood Twp. Fire and Rescue, Mobile Medical Response of Traverse City, and several good Samaritan citizens.

Photo via Leelaanu County Sheriff's Office