MACKINAW CITY (WWJ/AP) - "Hats off to the crew and captain of the Joliet."

The crew of a Mackinac Island ferry is being credited for rescuing a young girl whose inner tube was blown away from a beach in northern Michigan.

The Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry says the child drifted Monday about a quarter-mile from Mackinaw City before the crew reached her.

Mike North, a captain for Star Line, told the Petoskey News-Review that the ferry Joliet was docked in Mackinaw City to load passengers when they learned the girl was adrift. He, another captain and other crew members went out and rescued the girl.

Photos posted by Star Line on Facebook show crew members helping a girl in a bathing suit up a ladder and onto the ferry.

"Here at Star Line we are very proud of the Joliet boat crew!" reads a message posted with the pictures. "She is OK and safely back with her parents."

North added that the girl was just "a little scared, and a little cold."

A day later, message of thanks are rolling in by the dozens.

PamelaGrace Yerxa-Morrow wrote: "WTG Starline ! You did a wonderful thing and saved her life," while Vivian Wiley Speakman added: "Great job starline. Glad for a safe outcome. People need to watch the rules, think beforehand. Keep an extra eye out."

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Information from: Petoskey News-Review, http://www.petoskeynews.com