Chicago-to-Mackinac sailboat race organizers confirm deaths of Saginaw crewmembers
Two crewmembers found unresponsive in the water after their sailboat capsized during the Chicago-to-Mackinac race have been identified as Saginaw residents Mark Morley, 51, and Suzanne Bickel, 41, the Chicago Yacht Club reported this afternoon.
The Yacht Club, which organizes the race, said the U.S. Coast Guard had confirmed the crewmembers' deaths after a rescue operation today by a Charlevoix County dive team about eight hours after the boat was reported to have capsized.
Six others who were on board the sailboat WingNuts were rescued. Among the boat's registered crew is an Ann Arbor resident, The Associated Press reported.
Yacht Club Commodore Joseph S. Haas said in a statement, "On the behalf of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, the board of directors and flag officers, we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the crew of WingNuts. The crew of this boat exemplified the spirit of the Chicago Mac that is steeped in tradition of family, friends and passion for the water."
Comments
Ron Granger
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
Tragic. I am currently in Northern Michigan near Charlevoix, and watched that storm come in on from the coast. It was fairly intense, with an enormous amount of nearly continuous heat lightning. It would have been terrifying on the water, but especially in the water. The winds were strong, but not extreme. It could have been much worse.