JFD Water Rescue called for unmanned boat on the loose

Update…

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Fire Department’s, Water Rescue Team was called to Jamestown Reservoir about 1:44p.m., Sunday to a report of a boat operating driverless in the water, in a circle.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says, the boat was moving about 15-20 miles per hour, after the boat operator, Rick Mickelson of Jamestown said the steering bar in the back if the boat malfunctioned, and the boat lurched to the right flipping Mickelson out of the boat.

Mickelson hit his head but was not seriously injured, and he was tossed outside the circle the boat was making in the water.

He was able to swim to shore, and declined medical treatment.

Reuther says the rescue boat made waves around the runaway boat in order to push it to shore but was unsuccessful.

He says the boat on its own stopped in the water, about 15-20 feet from shore and was retrived and brought to shore where Mickelson was waiting.

Reuther says Mickelson was not wearing a life jacket, and says all boaters need to be wearing a life jacket while operating on the water.

Reuther says it was fortunate that Mickelson was tossed outside the circle the boat was making, and was  able to swim directly to shore.

The Jamestown Rescue Boat and Dive Bus were on the scene until 2:57-p.m.

Six fire personnel were on the water.

Also on the scene was North Dakota State Game and Fish, Southeast District, Warden, Mark Pollert.