MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Coast Guard and Marquette Fire and Sheriff’s Departments assisted three people back to shore after their small fishing boat became stuck in an ice floe about 700 yards off the breakwall near the entrance to the Dead River, Saturday night.
There is no Coast Guard imagery and names of the individuals who were rescued are not being released.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Station Marquette received a call from one of the men on the 12-foot aluminum boat about 9:15 p.m. stating he and two other men became stranded in ice on their way back into shore. The men had been fishing in open water, while the ice had drifted closer to shore and had prevented them from making it back to land.
An ice rescue team from Station Marquette was dispatched and, trailering their ice rescue equipment, arrived on scene at about 9:30 p.m. First responders from Marquette Fire and Sheriff’s Departments were also notified of the situation and responded.
The ice rescue team launched aboard their inflatable rescue craft and began transiting toward the men. Using signal flares to illuminate the area, a small spotlight, and verbal communications while transiting on and through the ice, it took nearly forty-five minutes for the crew to reach the three men.
After assessing the men, the ice rescue team began towing the small boat back to shore. Because of amount of ice, the Coast Guard crew requested assistance from the Marquette Sheriff’s crew, who launched their 14-foot zodiac boat and helped tow both vessels back to shore.
The three fishermen men, who were not wearing dry suits and had not entered the water at anytime, were examined by EMS on shore and released.
The Coast Guard reminds people to remain off of the water and off of the ice as ice continues to slowly melt and is unpredictable. Ice floes can easily drift with the current and be blown in different directions resulting in dangerous and life-threatening situations for those who choose to venture out, as well as the first responders.