USCG urgent warnings on Lake Superior; Honor victims, rescuers in tragic June 2016 double drowning
Channel: UpperPeninsulaBreakingNews Greg Peterson
Date: 2016-06-17

The first drownings on Lake Superior in 2016, the deaths of two Northern Michigan University students last weekend brings to 450 the number of drownings on the Great Lakes since 2010.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) keeps track of drowning statistics.

In 2016 alone, the GLSRP has tracked 14 Great Lakes drownings.

22-year-old Kaylilyn "Kayli" Suzanne Tansey, 22, of Grand Ledge and Antigo, WI native Justin Schroepfer, 24, of Rhinelander both drowned this past Saturday, June 11, 2016.

And while these beloved Northern Michigan University students are painfully heart-wrenching  statistics, friends and loved ones will tell you that much more.

"Kayli" loved the water and is pictured with her many dogs and horses - that show how her love for animals and nature was intuitive - even working at a Marquette grooming business. Her services will be this Saturday, June 18, 2016

The other victim was one of the rescuers.

Funeral services were held yesterday (Thurs., June 16, 2016) for athlete and water lover Justin Schroepfer, who drown while attempting to save struggling swimmers. Schroepfer left behind the "love of his life" fiancée Suzy Solin and was known for his baseball and other athletic skills during high school and college.

Kaylilyn "Kayli" Tansey and Abigail Lynn Sprinkle, both 22, of Marquette were swept off a popular wading area that connects the mainland to an island named Little Presque Isle. Gusty winds, choppy 3 to 6 foot seas, and a very strong current made the journey deadly, according to the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

"The wind and the current was coming out of the northwest and it was cutting along the lake shore and between Little Presque isle point and Little Presque Isle island," said Timothy Koscielny, USCG Boatswain's Mate Second Class USCG Station Marquette.

"The (3 to 6 foot) waves were causing a large current to run along the lake shore that was ripping through the point and the island," Koscielny said.

"That's was caused them to come off of the shoaling," he said

"The message is - if you are going to be in Lake Superior - especially this time of the year - the water temp is right around 50 degrees," Koscielny said adding hypothermia is a big factor. "Hypothermia still sets in whether or not the outside temperature" is 40 or 80 degrees.

"That cold water - when you hit it and you submerge in it - you get a gasp reflect - your body is instinctive," Koscielny said. "You body is going to want to take in a big gasp of air and you are going to do that regardless if your head is above water or below water. And the only thing that is going to help" is a life jacket.

"If people are going to cross over to Little Presque Isle island - go with a life jacket."

If you find yourself in a current - never fight it - let it spit you out to the side - and don't panic.

The shoal is usually about waste deep and a popular crossing. It's a trek that thousands have taken as we show in the video

"No matter where my dreams take me, I'll always hope they take me to you," Sprinkle wrote late on June 11 just after loosing her friend and fellow animal lover.

Goodman shared a Marquette Police Department Facebook reminder about the dangers of strong currents in Lake Superior
www.facebook.com/154287038032510/photos/a.292553824205830.66324.154287038032510/875469339247606

Rescuer NMU student Justin Schroepfer, 24, died while attempting to save struggling swimmers.

Funeral services were Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. David Karolus officiating

/www.bradleyfh.com/obituary/155719/Justin-Schroepfer

Arrangements for beloved NMU student and drowning victim Kaylilyn Suzanne Tansey by Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home. Visitation 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Funeral 3 p.m.

www.holihanatkin.com/obituaries/Kaylilyn-Tansey/#/ServicesEvents

Video courtesy Lisa K. Boettcher of Marquette

https://youtu.be/imKPf_hXh3U

June 2015 Lake Superior Hell Ride youtube username finpainter1

Caught in sudden northwind while fishing several miles off shore

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPLpPyCFdc

June 2012 Offshore Lake Superior along the Keweenaw peninsula from Eagle Harbor to Great Sand Bay” by Jay Sea

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikWc6lwBjGE

Photo by Up North Profile Northern Mike

Photo courtesy Ann Fisher on Superior shoreline from Wetmore Landing to Little Presque Isle

www.flickr.com/photos/yooperann/14512213555

Courtesy Travel the Mitten

http://travelthemitten.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Little-Presque-Beach-Marquette-Michigan.jpg

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

http://GLSRP.org

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.org

Thanks to Chicago-area band "Dragon Fire Parade" for use of their song "Saturnalia"

www.myspace.com/dragonfireparade

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVXetMc3Sc