CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Safety tips

Three rescues made on Lake Newell during high winds over weekend

Jun 1, 2020 | 4:48 PM

BROOKS, AB – The Brooks RCMP and fire department were kept busy during the high winds that whipped across Alberta on Sunday, making three rescues of stranded boaters on Lake Newell.

Now they are sharing tips in an effort to help keep people safe on the water.

RCMP and the Brooks Fire Department are asking people to check local weather reports and forecasts prior to getting on the water and to continuously monitor the weather once out there.

Perhaps most importantly boaters are reminded to have all mandatory boat safety equipment with them on the water. This includes life jackets, signalling devices, and bailing containers, and are encouraged to have extra supplies like food, water and clothing to aid in their well-being should they become stranded.

In all three cases on May 31 people had their cellphones on hand, which allowed them to call for help quickly and helped rescuers find them via GPS.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

6h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

12h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

In one of the three incidents, a family of five was stranded on an island with limited shelter from the elements. Rescuers used a Zodiac rescue boat, making two trips via Jackfish Bay to rescue the family. They spent nearly seven hours in the elements before they were rescued.

Before that, a kayaker was washed ashore and didn’t know their location and was eventually rescued by the Brooks Fire Department.

In the third rescue, a small aluminum fishing boat was caught on the water in the high winds. Brooks RCMP and the Alberta Conservation Authorities were able to find and transport the male to safety.