Overview

• The girls, ages 8, 10, 13 and 14, became stranded on a small rock island off Black Beach after losing their paddleboard paddles, prompting a 911 call around 8 p.m. Saturday.
• The Silver Bay Marina manager ferried officers in a former Coast Guard craft to make visual contact and advise the group to stay put as hazardous waves prevented a boat pickup.
• Lake County Rescue used a rope relay from the larger island to send blankets and food to the children, who were wearing swimsuits and growing cold.
• An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the Coast Guard’s Traverse City air station arrived about 1 a.m. Sunday and hoisted all four to a landing near the Silver Bay Fire Department, where they were reunited with their parents.
• The Coast Guard highlighted interagency coordination, with Lake County teams, Silver Bay police and fire, the Minnesota State Patrol, and marina staff contributing to the safe outcome.