DETROIT – U.S. Coast Guard Station Saginaw River recovered a deceased 53 year-old ice fisherman 2 miles off of Pinconning, Michigan at approximately 12:00 p.m. today.
Around 2:00 a.m. this morning, while investigating an unrelated report, Station Saginaw River discovered a truck and empty snowmobile trailer parked at the water’s edge near a boat ramp in Pinconning. After discovering from the family that the owner was overdue, an extensive search was conducted.
A HH-65 Dolphin from Air Station Detroit and a 20-foot ice capable boat from Station Saginaw River were deployed. After 10 hours of searching, the man’s body was located and recovered from the ice. The man, a former resident of Lansing, was transferred to Bay County Medical Services and was pronounced deceased by local EMS.
The only way to ensure ice safety is to stay off the ice. Recognizing that ice recreational activities are a part of Great Lakes heritage, the U.S. Coast Guard recommends anyone venturing onto the ice to remember the acronym ICE as a reminder to use good Intelligence, and the right Clothing and Equipment. Specifically, carrying a VHF-FM radio, rope, whistle, flashlight, compass, flares, and ice awls, wearing an exposure suit with personal flotation device, and notifying someone of where you will launch and when you will return, greatly increases your chances of survival if something goes wrong.
Coast Guard Sector Detroit directly oversees Coast Guard missions on Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and Western Lake Erie from Alpena, Michigan to Marblehead, Ohio.
