Hamilton and Halton Marine Units respond after two fall overboard in Lake Ontario

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Published September 27, 2020 at 8:35 pm

Members of the Hamilton Police Marine Unit responded to a mayday call this afternoon in Lake Ontario, approximately four kilometres south of the Burlington Ship Canal.

Members of the Hamilton Police Marine Unit responded to a mayday call this afternoon in Lake Ontario, approximately four kilometres south of the Burlington Ship Canal.

Police say a 29 year old female and 34 year old male were on a 16′ catamaran when the male fell overboard.

“During maneuvers to recover the man overboard, the catamaran capsized and the female lost sight of her companion,” said police.

“Search and rescue efforts were coordinated by Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton, and involved Hamilton Police Marine Unit, Halton Regional Police Marine Unit, and several Auxiliary Units of the Canadian Coast Guard.”

The male, who was located 1.5 miles off shore by members of the Hamilton Police Marine Unit, had signs of mild hypothermia after spending one hour in the 18 degrees Celsius water but was otherwise uninjured.

Both the male and female were brought to shore and assessed by paramedics.

Police say they were wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) as well as wet suits, and the female was able to call for help using a marine VHF radio she had attached to her flotation device.

“The wearing of PFDs and the effective use of a VHF radio were instrumental in preventing this incident from turning tragic,” police said.

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