The U.S. Coast Guard successfully recused 14 people stranded on an ice floe in east Saginaw Bay Monday evening.
Everyone was transported to emergency medical services soon after being airlifted from the ice. Coast Guard officials told WCMU that only two of the stranded fishermen fell into the water and no one was admitted to the hospital.
Coast Guard rescuers, alongside Huron County emergency service operations, completed the three-hour mass rescue mission with the help of two helicopters, the Detroit Dolphin and the Traverse City Jayhawk. This was the Jayhawk’s second rescue on Monday, after 11 people were successfully rescued from a drifting ice floe in Green Bay.
What made the rescue difficult, said Adeeb Ahmad, Public Affairs Officer with the Coast Guard’s Detroit Sector, was the operation being conducted at night on top of the large number of stranded people.
“Kudos to the rescue crew and the air crew,” said Ahmad on a phone call with WCMU. “That's a great win for both the people and the Coast Guard and other government agencies that were involved.”
The Coast Guard made it clear they don’t want to discourage people from ice fishing or using Saginaw Bay for recreation. Rather, they encourage people to have a plan and to wear bright colors.
“We highly encourage everyone to check the weather, check the current forecast, and see if it's getting warmer. If it's getting warmer, think twice about going out,” said Ahmad. “Ice is always unpredictable and dangerous.”
As of Saturday, the Coast Guard established a winter safety zone in Saginaw Bay. All vessels, no matter the size, must report their plans to the Coast Guard to travel through the bay at least three days in advance. The zone is designed to prevent hazards caused by breaking ice.
