A 13-year-old boy is safe after a dramatic paddle board rescue on Rangeley Lake this week.
Rangeley Fire Rescue says the boy lost his paddle and drifted 1.5 miles in less than 15 minutes after conditions rapidly changed from calm waters to strong winds, whitecaps, and building swells.
Visual contact with the boy was lost, which triggered the diversion of a Border Patrol helicopter to assist with rescue efforts.
Rangeley Fire Rescue says the 13-year-old boy was rescued as whitecaps and swells grew to between 1 and 2 feet.
They say a deputy threw the teenager a life jacket while a rescue boat maneuvered alongside the paddle board. The boy was reportedly cold, fatigued, and in distress, clinging to the paddle board when rescued.
Several agencies were involved in the rescue effort in addition to Rangeley Fire Rescue, including the Maine Warden Service, Rangeley Police Department, MaineHealth EMS, United States Border Patrol and the Franklin County Regional Communication Center.
The incident has prompted Rangeley Fire Rescue to offer the following safety tips when on the water:
- Always wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Carry the proper safety equipment, including a paddle.
- Check the weather forecast before launching.
- Keep a close eye on changing conditions.
- Return to shore immediately if winds begin to increase or whitecaps develop
