07/31/2026
Village of Fairport Harbor
FIRE DEPARTMENT
220 Third Street
Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
(440) 352-6922 voice (440) 352-8872 fax
Bob Lloyd, Fire Chief
PRESS RELEASE
On Thursday July 30, 2026, Lake County Central Communications received a call from United States Coast Guard Eastern Great Lakes Sector, reporting an overturned watercraft with three people aboard approximately one to two miles North North East of Fairport Harbor.
Central Communications dispatched the Water Rescue assignment consisting of Fairport Harbor, Mentor, Painesville City, Painesville Township and Perry Fire Departments and Fairport Harbor Police at 1743 hours.
The United States Coast Guard Cleveland Station sent a vessel, as the Coast Guard Fairport Station was unstaffed. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft also sent their vessel located in Fairport Harbor.
The overturned catamaran was located at 1809 hours, all three passengers were wearing personal floatation devices, The passengers were taken to shore by Fairport Harbor FD Jet Ski, Painesville City and Mentor FD boats. All passengers were uninjured.
ODNR conducted the uprighting of the catamaran.
Water rescues can be one of the more difficult and dangerous responses that Lake County Fire Departments face and requires strong command, coordination, and on going training between all Local, State and Federal agencies.
This incident underscores the importance of personal floatation devices,a marine radio and a cell phone when out on Lake Erie.
Thank you to everyone involved in the safe outcome.
Respectfully,
Bob Lloyd, Chief FHFD
