No Whales in Lake Erie

Before all the ribbing starts.  A local newspaper ran a article that quoted a couple that rescued three from
lake erie Sunday as saying they thought it was a whale.  How Rediculous. My wife and I rescued those fellows
from the lake three miles NW from Conneaut harbor. Sunday around noon we left harbor heading NW to do some
fishing.  about 2 1/2 miles out I notices something low to the water, I lost sight of it and told my wife I saw something
but I can't find it now.  We slowed and looked, my starboard side to the North we found it and it looked like someone
on the water throwing their arms up and diving in (we later realized it was the young boy 19, trying to stand on the
slippery keel of the bottom of the boat trying to get our attention and falling in).  I sensed something wrong so I turned
toward it.  As I got closer I realized it was someone in distress. I waved my arms to let them know I had visual. I got to the
boat and found two older fellows in the water with life jackets clinging to the back side of the boat. the younger straddled
across the bottom which was bottom side up.  I immediately called Conneaut fuel dock, I asked the men just three of you?
Yes, we've been here since yesterday. Saturday.  I told Jim at fuel dock to call rescue and ambulance that I had three men in
water for 24 hrs.  As I backed the boat to them where I had a swim platform and three step extendable ladder.  I had Vics Sports
Center install it on my fishmaster when I bought it. thank goodness, My wife was answering questions to the coast guard giving
coordinates and situation.  the first man I attempted to get in hardly could move, he was barely moving his arms in an attempt
to get to the boat so I had to lean over my engine to grab his hand and pull him. I grabbed him by the pants and pulled him
up over and in.  the younger boy came next, he got in fine.  The third I had to do the same as first, he got onto the platform
and appeared to have no strength to get in, I said you got to try so I can get you guys in to port.  I grabbed him by the back
side of his shorts and rolled him in.  I called Conneaut and told them I was on my way in to clear area.  One of the men ask
my wife for some water is all I recalled on way in.  when I got to the harbor, all fisherman and boats were off to the sides and
I had clear path in.  I called and ask where to go. someone told me to go to public dock. I went there and the paramedic were
waiting. A man in uniform ask me our name, address, and phone number, that is it.  I told him if he needed any farther info to
call me.  there were boats lined up from the docks to the light house.  I told him we need to get out of way to let guys start to
load their boats.  Kuddos to all those boaters who were patient to let us in. I went to fuel dock and got fuel and ask Jim if he
had something orange that I could mark the boat as I had punched the coordinates into the gps. he gave me a life jacket. As
I fueled I called coast guard and told them all three were on shore and being treated by paramedics.  I returned to the capsized
boat where I tied the life jacket to for visualization.  I called coast guard, gave them coordinates of boat, but I decided to stay
with it. If another boat had hit it we would have another incident. 13 minutes later coast guard came, ask me a couple questions, thanked me and Deb and we came in.  Reality set in at this point.  Just three years earlier we rescued another fisherman that
had fallen overboard, his buddy couldn't get him in. they had a much larger boat. he's doing ok.  I hope that anyone that hears
or reads the  bogus reports  about us thinking a whale was in lake erie takes it as such.  REALLY   GET YOUR STORIES STRAIGHT.
My wife and I are waiting for apologies and correct follow ups. 
 
 
 
 

Great job!

Yes, it makes you wonder how just a little decision can make a difference.
I text two of my friends that I knew were out 6 miles that morning. they
both told me it was pretty choppy with a south wind around 8mph. so I
didn't go. we slept in, ate a good brunch then decided to go when the lake
laid down. why I headed NW, is the puzzler, i'd been fishing straight out
recently for perch and walleye.