ESCANABA — Delta County Sheriff’s Department deputies rescued four boaters in distress over the weekend in two separate incidents. In both cases, high winds and waves put the boaters in peril.

On Saturday at 11:35 p.m. deputies were dispatched for the report of a disabled boater on Little Bay de Noc approximately a mile off of the Escanaba River. Deputies found three people in a 14-foot aluminum boat. The boat’s engine had died and the vessel was taking on water due to high winds and waves.

As the occupants were boarding the sheriff’s boat, their boat capsized. All three people made it safely aboard, however. The three people and their boat were brought to shore and no injuries were reported.

On Sunday at 11:26 a.m. the sheriff’s office was again dispatched to a boater in distress in Little Bay de Noc near Peninsula Point. The boat was reported to be taking on water and sinking. When deputies arrived the 21-foot bass boat was capsized and the lone occupant was sitting on the overturned hull.

Deputies were able to get the boater on board and then tow the overturned boat back to shore. Conditions included high winds and waves. No injuries were reported.

A Michigan DNR officer assisted deputies aboard the sheriff’s office boat for this rescue. Deputies were assisted during both rescues by Delta County Central Dispatch.