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This afternoon, the Duluth Fire Department responded to a water emergency offshore of Park Point near the Beach House.

Initial reports were two juveniles that had drifted approximately 100 yards offshore on paddleboards. Duluth Fire launched Marine units to make their way to the individuals while Rescue 1 went to the onshore location of the reporting party to assist in gaining a visual on the distressed party.

Both individuals were located and brought safely aboard Marine 19 at 3:24 PM. There were no injuries to report. Marine 19 assisted in bringing the two teens and their paddleboards to shore to be reunited with their family. 

The likely reason for the teens drifting out into the lake was the abrupt wind change in the early afternoon. This morning, the winds were light and coming from the East. The winds switched from the southwest, quickly increasing to 16 MPH and gusting to 22 MPH. A sudden westerly wind can become a hazard for persons operating non-motorized vessels on the lake-side of Park Point. Persons are advised to always have a plan for immediate wind changes and to wear a life vest at all times. Both individuals were wearing life vests at the time of rescue.

Duluth Fire was assisted by the US Coast Guard and St. Louis County Rescue Squad. All three agencies worked together to locate and assist as needed.

Marine 19 is the Duluth Fire Department's all-hazard marine vessel used for water rescues and both marine and structural fires in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. It operates with four members that are staffed at the Duluth Fire Department's Downtown Station. Marine 1 is two-person watercraft with a mission to assist in near-shore water emergencies, including the surf zone. Both vessels are trained to operate together to locate and bring persons to safety in most weather conditions.