Man, woman and dog rescued by Water Patrol in Racine after their sailboat takes on water

RACINE (WITI) -- Racine County Sheriff's officials say two people in a sailboat, and a dog had to be rescued after their sailboat began taking on water on Sunday afternoon, August 3rd.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol took the call just before 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Sheriff's officials say the caller reported he was in a 33-foot sailboat north of Wind Point, about a quarter-mile from shore, that ran aground and was taking on water.

The Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol responded to the scene.

Officials say the boat's occupants said they were unaware of where the water was entering the boat. Several attempts were made to free the boat from its position -- with negative results.

A passenger on the boat told officials the boat had taken on a substantial amount of water, and the boat could not pump the water out fast enough.

The boat occupants (two people total) and a dog were transferred to the Sheriff's Office's patrol boat, and later transported to the Reef Point Marina.

No one was injured.

Sheriff's officials say the boat operator, a 39-year-old woman from Oak Creek was sailing with her friend, a 45-year-old man from Milwaukee.

The sailboat's operator told officials she was unfamiliar with the area, and didn't realize the water was that shallow.

Tow Boat US responded to the scene to salvage the sailboat with the use of airbags.

Officials were working Sunday to remove the sailboat.