18 rescued from ice floe near Catawba Island

CATAWBA ISLAND – 18 individuals were rescued from an ice floe off near Catawba Island Sunday, according to the United States Coast Guard.

Rescue efforts began around 1PM after a helicopter from Air Station Detroit noticed approximately 20 people on an ice floe, with several ATVs looking for a route back to land.

The helicopter hoisted seven people from the floe, four others were rescued by the Coast Guard airboat, and the remaining seven were rescued and transported to shore by an individual who also had an airboat on scene.

No one required medical attention.

#BREAKINGUPDATE: More photos from today’s mass rescue near #LakeErie‘s #CatawbaIsland. Top right is @USCG Air Station Detroit air crew that spotted ice floe & initiated rescue. Lower right shows how small people looked from the air.#NoIceIsSafeIce #GreatLakesWinterSafety pic.twitter.com/eXDXH8Efid

— USCG Great Lakes (@USCGGreatLakes) February 7, 2022

“There’s no such thing as safe ice, but people can mitigate their risks,” said Lt. j.g. Jeremiah Schiessel, from Coast Guard Sector Detroit. “Always be sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Great Lakes ice is unpredictable, and conditions can change fast.”