Canadian city pays thousands to ship wayward American rafters back home

A Customs and Border Protection boat helps floaters during Float Down on the St. Clair River in Port Huron, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016. (AP)

PORT HURON, Mich. – It was a bit costly for Canadians to help the 1,500 Americans who drifted across the St. Clair River last weekend, but officials don't plan on billing their U.S. neighbors.

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley tells the Times Herald of Port Huron that his city spent more than $8,100 on police and other services to get the inflatable rafters and boaters back across the border.

Bradley said, "1,500 Americans showed up on our shores and we welcomed them."

High winds pushed participants off course in Sunday's 7.5-mile Port Huron Float Down.

Nineteen bus trips were made to the U.S. at a cost of more than $1,900.