According to sources, the regular afternoon tour to Chantry Island lighthouse on Lake Huron had to be cancelled today, July 7th, due to prevailing winds.
In the meantime, Bob Clarence and Jack Thein, members of the Marine Heritage Society, along with Dennis Stier who was to Crew the tour aboard the Peerless II, arrived at the Chantry Island Tour Base, at Southampton Harbour, at approximately 3:00 p.m. in anticipation that the tour might be able to be carried out.
Others then arrived at the tour base and said that there were two kayakers out on the lake (Huron) and that they appeared unable to return to shore.
Bob, Jack and Dennis immediately responded with the Peerless and were able to get the two kayakers safely on board and tow one of the kayaks safely to shore. By the time they returned to the Tour Base at the Saugeen river mouth, Bruce County Paramedics and the OPP were on the scene.
Bob had also kept the Sarnia Coast Guard apprised of the situation throughout the incident and statements were given to the OPP. Fortunately, there was a happy ending for all and the second kayak was also retrieved from along the shore.
