SOUTH DAKOT DEP.T OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
For immediate release: May, 18, 2005
For More Information Contact: Chris Hull, ( 605) 773-2744

GFP Conservation Officers Assist Stranded Boaters

PIERRE - A Sunday spring pontoon outing that nearly turned into a disaster for a group of southeastern South Dakota boaters ended on Monday morning due to some luck and a dose of perseverance by three South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Conservation officers.

The outing turned from fun to serious when Jeff Einrem’s large pontoon developed battery trouble. The group of four adults and six children from the Tabor area were dressed for the nice weather and quickly became cold when the sun went down and the rains came up.

Bon Homme County Conservation Officer Todd Crownover received a call around 7:00 p.m. from Einrem’s father, Walt , saying he had received a cell phone message from his son and they were having boat trouble in the Apple Creek area, south of Tabor. Crownover and a Bon Homme County deputy sheriff went out in Crownover’s boat, but quickly decided that he needed the assistance of Turner/Hutchinson County Conservation Officer Brian Humphrey and Clay and Union County Conservation Officer Chad Morrow.

"We actually spotted the group from the bluffs above," Crownover said. "They were polling their pontoon in a very shallow area. That is when I called Chad and Brian and told them to bring Chad’s flat bottomed jet boat."

A plan of attack was devised where Humphrey would drive the river bluffs and use binoculars to try and spot the stranded boaters while Crownover and Morrow would slowly search the sandbars, cattails and the many cutbacks on the water. Crownover, Morrow and Deputy Bechtold felt they were getting close. That is when Morrow received a call from Humphrey.

"Brian told us he had spotted a light about a half a mile from where we were searching. The light that Brian saw was a fire the group had started for warmth in their metal livewell. We started in that direction, but it took a while, as we had to backtrack several times. It was pitch black and starting to sprinkle off and on so we really couldn’t see well," Morrow said. "Once we got within a couple hundred yards of the boat, we turned our motor off to see if we could hear anything. Luckily, they had an emergency whistle in the boat and they were blowing it. Then we would start up the boat, go for a while, shut it down again and do it all over. It took a while, but we finally got to them about 1:30 a.m."

Keeping a level head can be critical when found in a situation like this. "If I could do it all over, I think the only thing I would do differently is stay put," the boat’s owner, Jeff Einrem said. "I wanted to get back to the main channel and ended up at a dead end. It was getting dark, but I knew that by burning cattails and a wooden boat seat, that would help us keep warm and hopefully, be seen."

Game Fish and Parks Boating Safety instructor Al Bahe commended Einrem for his actions. "This is the perfect example of why you should keep an air horn or whistle in a boat. It helps so much in the matter of search and rescue. The fire was also very good thinking."

Due to extremely shallow water, the rescue boat could only get to within 30 to 50 feet of the stranded boaters. Einrem then carried the children into the rescue boat and the officers assisted the others to safety just as the skies opened up into a downpour.

"They had great timing," Einrem said. "I was never really afraid for our lives, but it was really pouring by the time we got to shore. My dad was waiting with blankets and coats and was relieved."

Crownover said once they found the boaters it took about an hour to get them loaded and back to shore. "We had to backtrack once or twice and we got the motor clogged up a couple times. It was definitely slow going. I think we were all happy to be out of the rain."

Crownover also said that although he goes out on three to seven of these rescues a year, each one is different and difficult. "The river here changes a lot. I fish around this area and know it pretty well, but it can be pretty easy to get stuck, broke down or get turned around."

For his part, Einrem and his family were very happy to be home. "We owe those guys a big debt of gratitude. Tell them thanks."

-30-