In the early-morning hours of Saturday, Fort Frances OPP responded to a report of a boat and its occupants in distress on Sand Bay.
It was reported that five people had been swimming from the boat around midnight when strong winds carried it out of the reach of three of them.
The other two who got on board the boat were unable to re-start the engine and subsequently lost sight of their companions as the craft drifted away.
Due to the efforts of a local citizen and police, all three swimmers were rescued after spending more than an hour-and-a-half at the mercy of the elements.
The vessel was located the following day in the American channel of Rainy Lake.
Those involved have requested they not have their names released, police said.
In other local police news, a Fort Frances man was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level over 80 mg Saturday afternoon after he was stopped by a First Nation police officer on Highway 11.
The 27-year-old is slated to appear in court Sept. 3.
