Dec. 8, 2024 10:30a
(WGTD)---An inflatable watercraft known as a "banana boat" was used this past week in the rescue of a woman from the frigid waters of Lake Michigan off of Kenosha's Eichelman Park. Authorities credit use of the boat and drones, multi-jurisdictional cooperation and well-trained personnel in achieving a successful outcome.
Many details of the Monday night incident involving the woman in her late teens weren't released because of the nature of the call. But Kenosha police and fire and several surrounding departments that participate in the county's dive team all responded.
Rescuers quickly realized that ice build-up would prevent the use of the type of small, trailer-transported type of motorboat that would typically be used in a Lake Michigan call. Kenosha's Coast Guard station wasn't staffed that day.
So first responders--on the beach at Eichelman--launched a 15-foot long "all surface rescue" craft. Deflated, the boat is hauled around in a large duffel bag and can be blown up in two minutes with the use of an "air bottle," according to Ben Andersen, chief of the Somers Fire Department, whose banana boat was pressed into service Monday night.
A pair of Somers firefighters, who are also members of the dive team, paddled out to the woman, who, by then was an estimated 1,000 ft. from shore. "We weren't able to see the victim from our location on shore so Kenosha police and fire department drones were extremely valuable," Andersen said. "They were able to hover overhead and our members were able to paddle out to the lights on the drone so they knew where they were heading instead of just heading out into the dark Lake Michigan area."
The rescue went by the book, according to the chief. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to the hospital.
Andersen didn't immediately know just how many minutes elapsed between the time his department was notified and the time it took to get to the woman and pull her into the boat.
"This is a great example of how all the police and fire agencies in Kenosha County train and work together on a regular basis," Andersen said in summing up the call. "There were no issues with having representatives of numerous, different agencies working together and we were able to perform a successful rescue."
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