Oct 5 Sailor rescued from Simcoe

Oct 5 Sailor rescued from Simcoe Oct 5, 2004 A 71-year-old Georgina sailor reported missing Sunday was rescued yesterday from poor weather conditions on Lake Simcoe by the York Regional Police marine unit. The missing man took his catamaran out on the lake around 6 p.m. Sunday. A neighbour contacted police around 9:45 p.m. when his friend had not returned. With the temperature only 15 C, waves at least two metres high and gusty winds around 35 miles per hour there were some concerns about the weather conditions and the man's health. The marine unit and joint rescue co-ordination centre were contacted and a search began at 10:30 p.m. Rescuers believed the man had headed toward Snake or Fox islands and started the search from his last known position. After an extensive search, he was located drifting about five miles from shore at 1:10 a.m. The rescue helicopter was just arriving and remained on scene to provide emergency lighting and alternate rescue capabilities. The man had dropped his sail and was drifting in the water after realizing he could not return to land because of the weather. He was unharmed and taken back to shore, where he was treated and released by York Region emergency medical staff. Police say boaters should always wear their life-jackets and those going out on the lake for an excursion should always file a boating plan with a friend or neighbour in the case of an emergency.