A Lake Erie ice floe separated from land near Catawba Island, about 90 miles west of Cleveland. Some outdoor enthusiasts were isolated atop the frozen field on February 6. Luckily, rescuers put 18 people on dry land with no injuries.
The Lake Erie ice floe rescue
Authorities said that crews of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter over the area of Sandusky Island in Ohio noticed the floe floating before 1 p.m., Sunday. Some of the people on the temporary island were using ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) trying to find a path to land, the Coast Guard said.
The Detroit-based USCG MH-65 helicopter overheard swung into action. Seven people were lifted aboard. At the same instant, two airboats picked up the others. One airboat was from the Coast Guard’s nearby Station Marblehead, and a good Samaritan steered the other one.
The Coast Guard initially estimated 20 people were on the floe, but it declared mission accomplished after the 18 were rescued. The good Samaritan’s boat saved seven while the Coast Guard’s board pulled four.
The sunny skies that followed post-storm icy cold overnight created the gap between a solid lake surface and one that increasingly included floes.
The nice weather might have been unsettling for the ice while simultaneously attracting people to explore the outdoors. Officials issued a weather warning on Saturday about fluctuating conditions at Lake Erie.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service office serving Cleveland recommended enjoying the outdoors in other places.
“You are advised to stay away from Lake Erie ice due to the possibility that it will drift away from shore. Dangerous ice conditions could build-up, causing people to become trapped on the ice,” the NWS tweeted.
Federal forecasters noticed that parts of the lake were warmer than land last Saturday. Additionally, wind gusts as high as 25 miles per hour and cracks in the surface Saturday did not suit well for recreation on ice, the NWS said.
They said that the northward drift atop Lake Erie meant ice floes could end up in Canada.
“There is no such thing as safe ice, but we can mitigate their risks,” Lt. Jeremiah Schiessel of the USCG Detroit branch said. “Great Lakes ice is unstable, and conditions can change fast,” he added.
The chunk of ice broke off while a group of people was using off-highway vehicles, such as snowmobiles or ATVs, atop the frozen lake. In addition, the Coast Guard revealed this in statements on Twitter and via email.
The good Samaritan in the Lake Erie ice floe rescue was not identified.
The Coast Guard took the opportunity to remind outdoor enthusiasts to dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, whenever they are on ice or water. They should also carry a lifejacket, keep reliable communications devices nearby, and tell someone inland your whereabouts.
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