WINONA, Minn. – The run-away pontoon boat floating empty down the Mississippi on Tuesday had been abandoned upriver after the motor failed, the boaters said. They had paddled the disabled craft to an island and got off — and the craft floated away, leaving them stranded. A Winona Fire Department team launched a rescue at the downtown levee to catch the craft. By then, another boater had tied onto the run-away craft off the Bay State Milling elevators. The craft was towed to the St. Charles Street landing, where, incidentally, the rescue team was able to start the motor. Meanwhile, a search was started for missing boaters. The two were located on the island where the craft got away. They were OK and not needful of medical attention.
