Coast Guard, partners rescue 35 people from ice floe near Duluth, Minnesota

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/01/2018 07:26 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Dec. 1, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard 9th District Great Lakes
Contact: 9th District Public Affairs
Office: (216) 902-6020
After Hours: (216) 310-2608
9th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, partners rescue 35 people from ice floe near Duluth, Minnesota

Members of Coast Guard Station Erie, Pennsylvania, ice rescue team conduct skiff ice rescue training at Horseshoe Pond at Presque Isle State Part, Feb. 16, 2017. Members of ice rescue teams routinely conduct ice rescue trading to ensure capability during an emergency. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Erie, Pennsylvania

 Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version of the video and stills. 

CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard and local partner agencies rescued 35 people from an adrift ice floe in Superior Bay near Duluth, Minnesota, Saturday.

 

A Coast Guard Station Duluth ice rescue team worked with the St. Louis Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources to respond to a report that three large groups of people were stranded on an ice floe with approximately 30 feet of open water between the ice floe and shore.

 

The ice rescue team deployed their SKF-ICE, an inflatable ice rescue vessel, to assist the St. Louis Fire Department. The SKF-ICE team transited the open water, reached the ice floe, and rescued all 35 persons without incident. There was one confirmed person in the water who was rescued by fire department personnel.

 

The Coast Guard reminds the public to exercise caution near the water. Ice is unpredictable and dangerous. Those planning on being on or near the ice should check conditions, share their plan with somebody onshore, wear the proper attire in case the ice breaks, and bring proper equipment for self-rescue and reporting.

 

-USCG-