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After the Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the 112th edition in 2021 attracted 231 boats for the 289.4 nautical mile course from Chicago to Mackinac Island.
While benign weather made for a largely uneventful event, a dramatic incident for one team required urgent action which resulted in a positive outcome. Craig Warner, racing on a J/105 in his 35th Mac, was within 10 miles of the incident and followed up with those involved to share this report:
After their start on July 17, a serious medical emergency occurred on the water miles from land, with the successful outcome due to a combination of the crew’s action and the professional response of the United States Coast Guard.
On Monday, July 19, at approximately 1135 HRS CDT off North Fox Island in the northern half of Lake Michigan, a crewmember on a Farr 40 collapsed on the deck without warning and experienced a seizure. The crewmember was the son of the owner.
If you have ever seen a person suffering through a seizure, it is not a pleasant sight. Being a dad myself, I can only begin to imagine the level of the father’s concern. A severe medical emergency condition existed and calling 911 for an ambulance was not an option. The crew needed help, and they needed it now!
The Farr 40s crew initially ran to the aid of their suffering friend. The crewmember underwent two seizures back to back. The person in charge made a radio call on VHF CH 16 to the Coast Guard. After an initial delay, the Farr 40 established communications with the Coast Guard…
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