On August 23rd, 2026, I set out for what looked like a perfect day on Lake Pontchartrain in my 15-foot sailing dinghy. The forecast called for clear skies, winds of five to ten knots from the west, and seas of one foot or less. I got an early start and completed the 20-mile crossing from New Orleans to Mandeville, where I stopped for lunch. I was about a third of the way back on my return leg in the late afternoon when this ResQLink AIS rescue began.

A sudden, strong gust capsized the boat and dismasted it as I righted it. Strong winds and large waves followed. They threatened to swamp or sink the dinghy after the rigging failure tore off much of the foredeck and exposed the boat’s enclosed buoyancy compartment. I quickly realized that I was in serious danger and could not get myself to shore in those conditions.

At this point, I tried to make a mayday call on my radio, but I did not receive a response. I then deployed my ResQLink AIS PLB, which I kept in the pocket of my life vest. Within a minute or two, the U.S. Coast Guard called me on my cell phone. Knowing that they had received the alert was a major relief after the boat had capsized and my radio call had gone unanswered.

Rescuers from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office arrived within an hour. They took me aboard and towed my boat to the nearest harbor. The personal locator beacon gave me another way to call for help when the changing conditions and failed radio left me unable to safely return to shore.

I later learned that the National Weather Service had issued a Special Marine Warning around 40 minutes before I capsized. It warned of wind gusts to 40 knots, small hail, and suddenly higher waves that could damage small craft.

I am grateful to the U.S. Coast Guard and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office responders who helped me that day. Their quick response brought a frightening situation on Lake Pontchartrain to a safe conclusion.