Coast Guard Air Station Detroit reports it assisted in the rescue of three boaters early Thursday from Ontario's Middle Island.

The rescue involved three people who were on a 29-foot sailing vessel that ran aground. Coast Guard Station Marblehead sent one of its response boats and Coast Guard Sector Detroit sent its MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to the scene. 

"The survivors were participating in a sailing race prior to weather deteriorating, making the vessel difficult to manage," the report said.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer reached the boaters to check on their circumstances. All three individuals were taken up in a rescue basket into the helicopter, then transported to Port Clinton, Ohio, where family and friends were waiting for them. 

Middle Island is in Lake Erie, just south of Pelee Island. The site is part of Point Pelee National Park in Canada.

Coast Guard staff noted that this was AST2 Joshua Price's first live hoist rescue assignment.