Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City launched two helicopters to the scene, and both lowered their rescue swimmers down to the ice to help coordinate with other responders as they arrived. Meanwhile, the helicopters provided overwatch and helped vector in ice rescue boats from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
The ice continued to crack into smaller sections throughout the crews’ time on scene. After a four hour effort between all three agencies, 66 people were rescued, with no injuries reported.
“Today’s success is a direct result of effective training and the longstanding and close relationships with our agency partners in the greater Sturgeon Bay Area,” said Cmdr. Bryan Swintek, search and rescue coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan.
The effort was timely, as a major winter storm front was approaching, bringing snow and reduced visibility.