Operator of Vsl #1 advised that he had a sail boat moored,and due to strong winds his anchor had been pulled loose. He had been advised by city police to re-secure his boat.  He was able to swim out to his boat, and attempted to drive the boat closer to shore with his electric trolling motor, but advised that the motor did not have anough power to push the boat against the wind.  He tried to set sail with the boat to try to sail it into shore, but was unable to do so due to the strong winds.  He then decided to put out the anchor to stop the boat from drifting any further off shore, and after the boat was secured, he stated he "slipped" into the water (43 degrees).  He began to swim towards shore, but only swam a short ways until he became too cold, therefore stopped at a buoy and held onto the buoy in hopes that help would arrive.  That's how deputies observed him clinging to the buoy.  He was shivering severely, and had blue lips, and appeared to be extremely hypothermic.  He was transported to Clinch Park Harbor and turned over to North Flight EMS who transported him to Munson Medical Center were he was treated for hypothermia.
City of Traverse City         