Boater rescued on St. Lawrence River

(Newswatch Group/File)

CORNWALL – City firefighters faced the bitter cold Saturday night as they rescued a stranded boater on the St. Lawrence River in the city’s east end.

The man was apparently trying to cross the river from his home on Pilon Island when he was blown off course and was stuck about 45 meters (150 feet) from shore.

He was rescued by firefighters and is going to be okay, other than being chilled while being out on the open water where temperatures were about -23 but felt like -33 with the wind chill.

SD&G O.P.P. was also on scene, just east of Dunbar Avenue on Montreal Road.

Fire Chief Pierre Voisine tweeted that he was extremely proud of his firefighters for their effort.