GOOD SAMARITAN AIDES COAST GUARD IN RESCUING FIVE PEOPLE

HOLLAND, Mich. -- A Good Samaritan rescued five people that were hanging onto their overturned 20-foot boat, today, five miles southwest of here.

The five individuals were hanging to their vessel for approximately two hours.

The Good Samaritan took the five people on board his sailing vessel, Wings, and later transferred them to a Coast Guard Station Holland 25-foot response boat.  All five people were safely transported to Station Holland where an Emergency Medical Services ambulance was waiting.

Tow Boat US towed the overturned vessel into Saugatuck Harbor, Mich.

"The Coast Guard appreciates the assistance of the sailing vessel Wings and encourages all people who live, work and recreate on the Great Lakes to participate in the America's Waterways Watch program," said Lt. David French, Ninth Coast Guard District External Affairs Officer.

The America's Waterway Watch program encourages all people to report distress boaters or suspicious maritime activity to the Coast Guard and/or other law enforcement agencies.