2010-01-28 / News

Coast Guard, Clark Twp. Fire Drills for Ice Rescue

Exercise Shows Off Mackinac County Sheriff Office’s New Hovercraft

Clark Township Fire Department volunteers and members of the United States Coast Guard gather around the Mackinac County Sheriff Office's new rescue hovercraft Saturday, January 23, during an ice rescue training session at Hessel Marina. Sheriff Scott Strait said the hovercraft, which arrived just prior to the training session, will primarily help secure international borders in the region, but could also be used to assist rescuers in situations such as a person falling through the ice. Sheriff Strait said the hovercraft will be kept at E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in Hessel until a permanent storage facility can be found. Clark Township Fire Department volunteers and members of the United States Coast Guard gather around the Mackinac County Sheriff Office's new rescue hovercraft Saturday, January 23, during an ice rescue training session at Hessel Marina. Sheriff Scott Strait said the hovercraft, which arrived just prior to the training session, will primarily help secure international borders in the region, but could also be used to assist rescuers in situations such as a person falling through the ice. Sheriff Strait said the hovercraft will be kept at E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in Hessel until a permanent storage facility can be found.
United States Coast Guard Training Officer Brian Huff pulls Clark Township Fire Department volunteer Alex McMaken out of the water and onto a rescue sled Saturday, January 23, at the Hessel Marina during an ice rescue training session. United States Coast Guard Training Officer Brian Huff pulls Clark Township Fire Department volunteer Alex McMaken out of the water and onto a rescue sled Saturday, January 23, at the Hessel Marina during an ice rescue training session.
United States Coast Guard Chief Jon Tracy uses a pole to rescue Clark Township Fire Department volunteer Alex McMaken, posing as a person who fell through the ice Saturday, January 23, at the Hessel Marina during an ice rescue training session. Members of the fire department and Coast Guard rescue teams compared notes on their procedures and trained side-by-side in preparation for a real rescue on the ice. The agencies were able to practice in an area where water and ice meet in the marina, owing to bubblers left on by E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in winter months, which provides Clark Township's fire department a place to draw water from in the event of a fire near Hessel. United States Coast Guard Chief Jon Tracy uses a pole to rescue Clark Township Fire Department volunteer Alex McMaken, posing as a person who fell through the ice Saturday, January 23, at the Hessel Marina during an ice rescue training session. Members of the fire department and Coast Guard rescue teams compared notes on their procedures and trained side-by-side in preparation for a real rescue on the ice. The agencies were able to practice in an area where water and ice meet in the marina, owing to bubblers left on by E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in winter months, which provides Clark Township's fire department a place to draw water from in the event of a fire near Hessel.

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