- Twenty people were rescued Monday from an ice floe in Lake Erie near Catawba Island State Park
- The Coast Guard and local authorities responded to reports of people on an ice floe about half a mile offshore near Catawba Island, which had broken off
- Nine were rescued by the Coast Guard, while four were rescued by firefighters. Seven people were able to save themselves via an airboat
Twenty people, representing two groups of ice fishermen, have been rescued from an ice floe in Lake Erie that had broken away from the mainland, the Coast Guard said Monday.
The Coast Guard’s Ninth District Great Lakes Station said it received a report about 10:20 a.m. that people were stuck on a mile-long ice floe about a half-mile off Catawba Island State Park near Port Clinton, Ohio.
A Coast Guard helicopter was sent from Detroit Air Base and two airboats went to nearby Marblehead Station, Petty Officer Jessica Fontenette said.
Rescuers from the Put-In-Bay Fire Department on South Bass Island and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit and Station Marblehead responded Monday to reports of 20 ice fishermen stranded on an ice floe near Catawba Island in Lake Erie, Ohio.
Twenty people have been rescued from an ice floe in Lake Erie, the Coast Guard said Monday
The Put-in-Bay fire brigade was able to enter the ice to rescue seven fishermen
A US Coast Guard rescuer is hoisted onto the ice to save nine people
The Coast Guard was able to save nine people; four others were rescued by the Put-in-Bay Fire Department and the remaining seven were able to reach shore by airboat. No injuries have been reported.
Authorities said everyone was safe and reported as of 12:41 p.m.
“We went out, got settled in and got a few fish on the ice. The wind started to pick up, which we knew was possible today. That’s why we brought our airboat,” said Matt Kubacki, a fisherman who was rescued WOOL.
“When the ice cracks, it’s one of those feelings where you sit on the ice and feel it. You feel it in your seat and the water bubbles in your holes. But when it burst, we decided to investigate and see what was going on, and it started pushing.”
The fisherman was likely sent to the ice after the recent cold snap, which froze parts of Lake Erie.
Temperatures in Ohio were in the teens over the weekend but rose to 30 degrees on Monday, likely leading to the thawing of the ice.
The emergency services were quickly on the scene and the entire rescue operation took about two hours
Seven people were able to get back to shore themselves by airboat
A Coast Guard member is seen being lowered onto the ice floe to rescue the stranded fishermen
The Coast Guard has issued advice on when it is safe to go on the ice
“We are committed to public safety and want to remind everyone of the importance of exercising caution around ice formations,” said Lt. Adeeb Ahmad, Sector Detroit Public Affairs Officer.
An ice floe is a floating layer of ice that has broken off from a larger ice formation.
‘Ice floes are unpredictable and can quickly become dangerous, especially in windy conditions or strong currents. Always check local ice conditions before heading out and be prepared for any emergencies. Your safety is our top priority,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.
‘There is no safe ice. We would like to cross that point,” said Colt Fairchild, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Marblehead.
“If you are going out on the ice for fishing or recreation, we recommend that you have a life jacket with you, wear that life jacket and also dress appropriately for the winter.”