Two die in incident on Lake Michigan near Port Washington, Wis.

Port Washington, Wis. — Ozaukee County authorities and U.S. Coast Guard personnel rescued three persons after a boat overturned on Lake Michigan near Port Washington, Wis., on the evening of Monday, July 15. While one person wearing a life jacket was found responsive during the rescue, the other two persons were later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Around 6:24 p.m. the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department received reports from the U.S. Coast Guard of a 17-foot fishing boat in distress and sinking in Lake Michigan, according to a July 16 statement released by the sheriff’s department.

The Ozaukee County Emergency Management Rescue Boat, Port Washington Fire Department Fire Boat, U.S. Coast Guard from Milwaukee and Sheboygan, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter responded to the area of the boat’s last coordinates, according to the release.

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Rescue boats located three persons in the water: one was semi-conscious and breathing, and the other two were unconscious and not breathing. All three were transported to the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.

Lifesaving efforts were conducted by rescue personnel, but the two unconscious victims were later pronounced deceased.

The two victims were identified as a 50-year-old man and 51-year-old woman, both from Illinois. The person who survived the incident is a 26-year-old male from Beloit, who was in stable condition at the time.

According to the sheriff’s department, the boat, a 2008 Triton Model 177, faced 2- to 4-foot waves and water temperatures around 53 degrees. The boat was reported to have been taking on water when a wave struck the side, overturning it. It became submerged prior to the rescue and has not yet been located.

The Grafton Fire Department, Saukville Fire Department and Port Washington Police Department also assisted with the incident.