Rescued from disabled boat during Lake Michigan thunderstorm

Nine people were rescued from a disabled boat on Lake Michigan during severe thunderstorms on Friday, July 3, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office reported. Marine Patrol deputies were dispatched at about 3:30 p.m. after a report of a vessel in distress near North Beach in the 400 block of North Shore Drive in South Haven. Authorities said the boat had suffered a complete loss of power and steering and motor controls, leaving it drifting near the shoreline. The rescue was carried out while an Extreme Thunderstorm Warning was in effect, with torrential rain, powerful winds, dangerous lightning, and large waves. Deposits safely rescued all nine passengers and transported them to South Side Marina for evaluation by SHAES EMS, with no serious injuries reported. Deputies later secured the disabled vessel and it was towed away. The response involved agencies from Van Buren and Allegan counties and SHAES.