Dozens wade to shore after Mich. tour boat damaged

EMPIRE, Mich. (AP) — Authorities in Michigan say dozens of people waded to shore and two were rescued by helicopter from a tour boat that was damaged by a wave in Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard says the operator of the tour boat Pictured Rocks called for help shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday after a wave reportedly went over the boat’s bow, smashing a window and causing electronics to malfunction. The boat had 61 people aboard.

No major injuries were reported. The Coast Guard says waves in the area were 2- to 4-feet high at the time.

The boat’s operator told the Coast Guard he grounded the boat near the shore in Empire, in northern lower Michigan, to prevent further damage and keep more water from coming aboard.