Crew Members Safe After Sailboat Sinks During Race To Mackinac

Race officials of the Chicago Yacht Club-Race To Mackinac say sailboat One Design 48 WhoDo started sinking during the race on Sunday around 2:50 p.m. inside the Manitou Passage when their boat’s rudder broke off.

The WhoDo deployed a life raft and all ten crew members boarded safely.

The Eric Oesterle’s Heartbreaker sailboat pulled the entire crew out of the life raft and onto their boat.

The Heartbreak crew then transferred the WhoDo crew onto the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office boat.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Traverse City also aided in the rescue by sending their MH-65 helicopter.

The Coast Guard says all crews members made it off the boat safely and are on their way to Leland with the Leelanau County Deputies.

No medical attention was needed for the WhoDo crew.