Canadian Coast Guard spent $21K to rescue partying wayward Americans
Total cost for rescue nears $30K and included several police and city agencies
The Canadian Coast Guard spent an estimated $21,700 to rescue about 1,500 Americans who drifted into Canadian water and onto shore during a floating party along the St. Clair River in Ontario, CBC News learned early Friday.
"This amount includes overtime costs and additional expenses including fuel and provisions for the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Limnos, the on-scene command vessel and several fast rescue craft that were used to assist Float Down participants who were in distress or urgent situations," coast guard communications adviser Carol Launderville said in an email to CBC.
The Americans, participating in the annual, unsanctioned and unofficial Port Huron Float Down on Aug. 21, ended up in Canada after high winds blew them across the St. Clair River, which separates Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia in southwestern Ontario.
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The Canadian Coast Guard and other federal, provincial and municipal authorities worked together in the weeks leading up to the event to ensure a co-ordinated response effort.
The City of Sarnia had already said it spent $8,181 retrieving wet and wayward Americans and returning them home on 10 Sarnia Transit buses.
So far, the total rescue tally sits at $29,881. It's not yet known how much the OPP, RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency spent.
Several people were plucked from the water and off the shore. They landed on property owned by a chemical company and in a gravel pit, amongst other places.
"There were people in places you'd never think something would float, but there were Americans everywhere," Peter Garapick of the Canadian Coast Guard told CBC News the day after the event.
They left behind garbage, coolers, even a picnic table.
Joe Wiedenbeck, a pipefitter from Marysville, Mich., which is where the float was supposed to end, started an online fundraiser to help pay back the City of Sarnia.
People have pledged $4,420 on his GoFundMe campaign.