Canoeists rescued on Manistique River

Two canoeists were rescued from the Manistique River in Schoolcraft County early Wednesday morning.

They were scheduled to arrive on M-77 no later than 5:30 p.m. Tuesday morning and had not returned by 10:30 that night.  The canoeists had launched their canoe in the Manistique River off Ten Curves Road in Germfask at noon.

The Schoolcraft County Sheriff’s Department says a campfire was spotted around 3 a.m. near the intersections of the Manistique and Fox Rivers where the two individuals were seen waving a towel.

“I’m very pleased with how quickly and efficiently our department works with other departments when situations like this arise,” Sheriff John Norrington said. “It’s important to remember that time is of the essence in these cases. With temperatures dropping down into the forties at night, exposure to the elements can be life threatening. The sooner you report something out of the ordinary, the better agencies can handle it. We want people to know that we are here to take these types of calls anytime.”

The canoeists did not require EMS and were returned to their vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Coast Guard and a rescue helicopter.