(above image used by permission)
Unsung and passionate Ottawa volunteers ply Illinois riverways in event you need to call 911 due to a boating emergency.
Ottawa River Rescue is funded completely by supporters and local business’.
They receive no financial assistance from the city, county or state.
However they are your lifeline for a fifty mile radius from Ottawa if your boat needs a tow, if the police need help recovering evidence or to simply rescue a family pet.
Volunteers at the Ottawa River Rescue are ready and willing to assist boating mishaps as far east as Lockport and as far Southwest as Chillicothe free of charge.
The workhorses of the river rescue fleet are 14 foot reel boats fitted with a drag bar with a series of hooks made from scratch that allows the team to drag and hook onto items at the bottom of the river.
Their only pay from taxpayers and government agencies is a handshake and smile after a successful assist.