Lake Huron claims another vessel

It was a ‘perfect storm’ – low lake level, a mammoth rock and a gust of wind – all coming together at the same time on Lake Huron.

The One Love out of Southampton Yacht Club was making her way home on Thursday, July 25th from a leisurely sail.  Her owner and captain, Dave Maxwell, is a seasoned sailor and felt that he was far enough out in the lake and he was also keeping an eye on his ‘app’ for water depth, etc.  The ‘app’ read nine to 15 metres of water, what it didn’t register however, was the drop in Lake Huron’s water level this summer.  What should have easily been a depth to be navigated proved not to be the case.

The waters off the shores of Lake Huron have long been the bane for many ships in years gone by, with the result of many shipwrecks due to the gigantic rocks that lie beneath the surface and, on Thursday, the One Love encountered not one but many.

“It was at the same time that a gust of wind caught my sail and flipped it so that the boat spun around,” said Maxwell. The experienced sailor of some 30 years knew it wasn’t a good situation as the boat was being blown toward the rocky shoreline and he couldn’t get the alternate outboard motor to start. Suddenly, the boat stopped on the rocks and keeled over on its side.  

The Saugeen Shores Fire Service water rescue responded, along with the OPP Marine Unit.  They got Maxwell off the boat but the One Love was lodged on the rocks and there she stayed until her rescue on Monday, July 29th by C-Towing. “I knew I had to get the professionals in to handle this,” said Maxwell. The first crew was unable to dislodge her however, and called for back-up teams that came in from Grand Bend and another that was at Pigeon Lake.

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With large flotation bags, they were able to float the One Love enough to tow her back to Southampton Harbour where she was lifted out the water by a giant crane brought in from Owen Sound.  The damage was extensive with a large gaping gash in the vessel’s side.

 

“I have to say that out of all this, I have met some wonderful people,” said Maxwell.  “The Fire Service were amazing as were the OPP and those living along the shoreline – and no one was hurt and that’s the main thing.”