Racine County Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol called out to Lake Michigan for vessel taking on water

RACINE COUNTY -- The Racine County Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol was called out to Lake Michigan Saturday, September 5th for a 41-foot vessel that was taking on water.

It happened around 6:00 p.m.

Racine County Sheriff's officials say the Water Patrol received a distress call over the marine band radio for a 41-foot vessel on Lake Michigan that was taking on water.

The caller stated he was north of the Wind Point Lighthouse, approximately four miles off shore, and taking on water from an unknown location faster than it could be pumped out.

The operator advised he was headed to shore to beach the boat.

The Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol responded to the scene and found the vessel beached. Officials made contact with the operator, who advised he and his three passengers weren't hurt as a result of this incident.

The operator launched a dingy from the swim platform and the occupants returned safely to shore.

The tow boat "US Kenosha" responded to the scene and removed the vessel from shore. It was later removed from the water and inspected.

It was then determined that an upper support bracket to the swim platform broke, causing the weight of the swim platform to push the lower swim platform bracket through the hull, which allowed water to enter the vessel.

Sheriff's officials say the vessel's operator, a 70-year-old Vernon Hills, Illinois man, was traveling with his wife and two friends from Milwaukee to Racine when this incident occurred.