Date: January 31, 2010

Contact: Petty Officer
George Degener
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

Coast Guard rescues five in Saginaw Bay 

CLEVELAND - U.S. Coast Guard Station Saginaw River rescued five people in Saginaw Bay, Mich., Sunday at approximately 7 p.m.

Three females and two males were rescued after two all-terrain vehicles they had been riding fell through the ice. The victims were able to get out of the water, back onto the ice and call 911.

An SPC-Air airboat from Station Saginaw River and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Detroit were dispatched to the scene.

“We got out there and picked up all five people,” said Petty Officer 2^nd Class Greg Torrey, coxswain of Saginaw River’s airboat. “They all seemed okay, not hypothermic, just wet and really cold.”

The airboat transported the five to Thomas Marina, where they were met by local EMS and checked for injuries.

“We dropped them off at the marina and they all got checked out by the ambulance,” added Torrey. “They didn’t need to go to the hospital.”

The Ninth Coast Guard District would like to remind the Great Lakes public to take charge of their safety this ice fishing season as temperatures remain mild throughout the Great Lakes.

Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the Coast Guard advises people to remember the following:

I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.

E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.

Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:

Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.

Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).

Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.

Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.

Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.

For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.

Date: January 27, 2009

Contact: Ninth Coast Guard
District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit rescues three in Saginaw Bay, Mich. 

CLEVELAND - A U.S. Coast Guard helciopter crew from Air Station Detroit, Mich. rescued three stranded ice fishermen in Saginaw Bay, Mich., at approximately 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 after a crack in the ice prevented them from returning to shore.

CLICK HERE to see video of the rescue from the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter's hoist camera.

“We picked up one individual on the first hoist, ferried him to shore, and then went and picked up the other two,” said Lt. Brian Ward, co-pilot of the rescue helicopter. “All three appeared to be wearing survival suits.”

All three were transported to shore with no apparent injuries.

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter was dispatched after a Good Samaritan saw the crack preventing the men from return to shore and called 911.

The Ninth Coast Guard District would like to remind the Great Lakes public to take charge of their safety this ice fishing season as temperatures remain mild throughout the Great Lakes.

Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the Coast Guard advises people to remember the following:

I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.

E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.

Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:

Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.

Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).

Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.

Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.

Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.

For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.

Date: January 26, 2009

Contact: Petty Officer
George Degener
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

U.S. Coast Guard rescues three in Saginaw Bay

CLEVELAND - U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit rescued three ice fishermen in Saginaw Bay, Mich., Tuesday, at approximately 7 p.m., when they were unable to return to shore due to a widening crack in the ice.

“We picked up one individual on the first hoist, ferried him to shore, and then went and picked up the other two,” said Lt. Brian Ward, co-pilot of the rescue helicopter. “All three appeared to be wearing survival suits.”

All three were transported to shore with no apparent injuries.

An HH-65 Dolphin Helicopter was dispatched after a Good Samaritan saw the crack preventing the men from return to shore and called 911.

The rescue helicopter transported the three men to local responders on shore, and was subsequently dispatched to Bay City, Mich. after receiving a report of five individuals stuck on the ice.

All five were directed to shore by local law enforcement with no reported injuries.

“We got to the mouth of the Saginaw River and saw what appeared to be gear left behind by those individuals,” said Ward. “We flew over the river for approximately 10 or 15 minutes making sure there was no one else in distress.”

The Ninth Coast Guard District would like to remind the Great Lakes public to take charge of their safety this ice fishing season as temperatures remain mild throughout the Great Lakes.

Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the Coast Guard advises people to remember the following:

I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.

E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.

Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:

Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.

Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).

Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.

Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.

Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.

For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.

Date:  Jan. 24, 2010

 Contact: Petty Officer Bill Colclough
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

Coast Guard rescues good samaritans after they fell through the ice 

CLEVELAND - U.S. Coast Guard Station Saginaw River, Mich. rescued four good samaritans, Saturday at approximately 9:30 p.m., after they fell through the ice after trying to assist two people in distress one mile offshore Saginaw Bay in Linwood, Mich.

All people were recovered and released in good condition.

"We brought two males and two females aboard after they fell in trying to help a 32-year-old man and a 6-year-old boy in waist-deep water," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Todd Murray. "The ice is deteriorating and was totally unsafe."

A 20-foot airboat crew pulled the four good samaritans from the ice and transferred them safely to awaiting Emergency Medical Services on shore.  The four had no reported injuries.

Initially, a 32-year-old male and a 6-year-old boy fell through the ice while ice fishing.  The four good samaritans went on to the ice to assist them, when they fell through as well.  The 32-year old and 6-year-old were assisted out of the ice by the Pinconning Fire Department.  They were cold but refused treatment.

Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the Coast Guard advises people to remember the following:

I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.

E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.

Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:

Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.

Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).

Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.

Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.

Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.

For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.

Date: Jan. 22, 2010

Contact: Lt. K. Salzmann
(414) 747-7085, phone

U.S. Coast Guard station receives prestigious award

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - U.S. Coast Guard Station Sheboygan received the Coast Guard’s esteemed Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award, Friday, during an official ceremony presided over by Capt. Luann Barndt, commanding officer, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan.

Station Sheboygan is the only Coast Guard unit on Lake Michigan to receive the highly coveted award over the past year. The Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award is awarded for exceptional performance and a grade of 90 percent or higher during an arduous week-long inspection. Included in the inspection was the examination of the response boats, crew knowledge tests, execution of practical drills and assessment of the unit’s training plan.

The award is named for the first General Superintendent of the U. S. Life-Saving Service, which was later incorporated into the U. S. Coast Guard. Sumner I. Kimball was appointed to the position of General Superintendent in 1878 due to his persuasive efforts in convincing Congress to improve upon what was a system of volunteer based life-saving stations. Kimball’s elevated standards laid the foundation for modern day Coast Guard small boat stations.

The award cites the crew's months of hard work and also represents the overall high level of excellence in executing all Coast Guard missions.

“The receipt of the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award is a reflection of the hard work by the entire crew," said Boatswain's Mate Chief Marcus Evans, officer-in-charge, Station Sheboygan. "This is the evidence of the pride that the entire crew has not only in Station Sheboygan but in their service of our nation.”

Station Sheboygan is a multi-mission small boat station that executes all Coast Guard missions to include Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security.

For further media inquiries, contact the Public Affairs Officer for Sector Lake Michigan, Lt. K. Salzmann, at (414) 747-7085.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.

Date: January 20, 2010

Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020 office
(216) 310-2608 cell

Coast Guard reminds Great Lakes communities to be safe when recreating on the ice during mild temperatures

CLEVELAND - The Ninth Coast Guard District would like to remind the Great Lakes public to take charge of their safety this ice fishing season as temperatures remain mild throughout the Great Lakes.

Nearly one year ago, Feb. 6, 2009, Federal, state and local response agencies assisted 134 ice fishermen from an ice floe near Oak Harbor, Ohio.  On Tuesday, approximately 50 ice fishermen were stranded on an ice floe, in Saginaw Bay, Mich., after strong west winds widened existing cracks in the ice. The stranded fishermen were able to walk safely back to shore after the ice contracted.

Unfortunately, there were seven deaths reported in the Great Lakes Region, this weekend, that resulted from ice-related mishaps.

These incidents may have been preventable, and the U.S. Coast Guard would like to remind the public that ice is an ever-changing surface and the fluctuating weather conditions greatly affect the ice's stability.

In an effort to prevent, prepare and educate recreational ice fisherman, the Coast Guard would like to encouraged people to remember the following:

I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.

C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers.  If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.

E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.

Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:

• Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.
• Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).
• Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.
• Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.
• Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.

Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the threat of hypothermia is always present with a potential fall through the ice. Hypothermia begins to set in quickly as the human body's core temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 C). 

To treat hypothermia, handle the victim gently, get them indoors and remove clothing, then dry the victim promptly and wrap in blankets. Lastly, transfer the victim to rescue and/or medical authorities immediately.

However, AVOID the following actions with hypothermia:

• NEVER rub or massage the extremities

• NEVER give alcohol or caffeinated products

• NEVER apply ice

• NEVER apply external heat sources directly to the skin

• NEVER allow the person to smoke

The Coast Guard would like everyone to take an active part to enhance their chances for rescue and survival with a commitment to safety this year and beyond.

For media inquiries or to talk to a U.S. Coast Guard unit about ice safety, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.