A 54-year-old Hawley man was rescued Monday night from Cormorant Lake southwest of Detroit Lakes after his boat sank.
Gary Ulven told authorities that his 14-foot Crestliner took a wave over the stern and continued to take on water until it sank, according to a release from Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon. Ulven was able to put on a life jacket before the boat sank.
Authorities responded to the call about 6 p.m. when someone who lives on Tradewinds Beach stated she thought she heard someone calling for help from the lake. Responding were Becker County boat and water deputies, Audubon police and Audubon fire and rescue.
Authorities found Ulven clinging to his submerged boat about 200 yards from shore, the release stated. Ulven was transported to St. Mary's Innovis Health Care Hospital in Detroit Lakes, where he was held overnight for observation because of a body temperature of 92 degrees.
Gordon stated there likely would have been a tragic outcome if Ulven hadn't been wearing the flotation device because of the water temperature of about 60 degrees, the wave activity and the length of time he was in the water. He was in the water for about 30 minutes.
