Coast Guard Rescues 4 MN Girls, Ages 8–14, Stranded On Lake Superior Paddle Boarding Trip

SILVER BAY, MN — A paddleboarding outing turned into a major rescue late Saturday when four girls, ages 8 to 14, became stranded on a small Lake Superior island near Black Beach.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the girls had paddled to the smaller of two islands when they lost their paddles and couldn’t return. Wearing only swimsuits, they grew cold as rescuers worked to reach them.

Silver Bay police and deputies responded, with the Silver Bay Marina manager using his former Coast Guard boat to help navigate the extremely rough water. Rescuers established a rope relay to pass blankets and food to the girls as they waited for air support.

The Minnesota Air Rescue Team couldn’t respond because of the weather, but the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan.

Around 1 a.m. Sunday, the helicopter transported all four girls to a landing zone set up by the Silver Bay Fire Department.

No injuries were reported. Agencies involved included the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Rescue Squad, Silver Bay Police Department, Silver Bay Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Silver Bay Marina manager Mike Ettel.