The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people who were in the water after their boat sank during a fishing trip near the Waukegan Harbor on Friday.
Two men, 29-years-old and 31-years-old, were about one mile east of the Waukegan Harbor when their 15-foot bass boat starting taking on water. The boat sank within 10 minutes, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Shortly after noon on Friday the Coast Guard Station in Kenosha launched a rescue boat after one of the men who were in the water had a partially waterproof phone and called for help.
North Chicago and Waukegan Fire Departments also responded to assist.
The Coast Guard said in a statement that, “The first person rescued did not have a life jacket on and was treading water while holding onto a small, boat fender.”
“The second person had his life jacket on backwards and was holding his cell phone above his head to keep it dry while treading water. Both men were exhausted and cold from being in the water nearly 45 minutes.”
The water was 58 degrees, officials said.
The two men rescued said that they had bought a new plug for their boat and thought it fell out.
The men did not have a “float plan” and did not tell anyone they would be out on the water, according to officials.
“The Coast Guard urges boaters to have a plan when they go out on the water, to carry multiple signaling devices, to have enough working life jackets, and to bring an electronic position indicating radio beacon,” authorities said.