Offshoreonly.com - Power Boat Capsizes in Lake Michigan

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Man Rescued After Power Boat Capsizes in Lake Michigan

A man has been rescued from Lake Michigan, clinging to a seat cushion for nearly nearly two hours after his boat capsized almost 20 miles from shore.

The US Coast Guard says a passing ferry boat rescued Thomas Drewek, 44, spotting him on its way from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Mich.

"Just by chance, the Lake Express saw him," petty officer Robert Napp said.

A wave caused his powerboat to capsize, and he wasn't able to radio for help, Napp said. He was the only one on board.

Drewek spent nearly two hours in the 65- to 70-degree water, Napp said. In those conditions, he could have survived for about 36 hours, according to the Coast Guard.

The ferry got him on board around 6:30am and headed back to Milwaukee, where he was hospitalized.

Drewek wanted to walk off the ferry by himself, but paramedics would not let him, Napp said.