Ice rescue policy changes

OTTAWA COUNTY - A massive weekend ice rescue could lead to some policy changes when it comes to saving fishermen stranded on the ice. Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton is looking to eliminate a step from his ice rescue policy, and hopes other are agencies will adopt a policy, too.

Sheriff Bratton put a "three strike" ice fishing policy in place in January of 2009. According to the policy, an ice fisherman gets a warning the first time he is pulled from the ice. A fisherman is required to attend safety classes the second time he is rescued. And, the third time they are rescued, they will be prosecuted to help pay for the cost of the rescue.

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office has not had an ice rescue since it adopted the policy. However, on Saturday, 21 agencies - including the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office - rescued 134 from the ice on Lake Erie after the ice separated and they became stranded. That rescue has Sheriff Bratton considering eliminating the required safety classes after a second rescue. Instead, he will consider prosecuting a person after they are pulled of the ice twice.

"And you know why I'm doing that?" said the Sheriff. "(It is) Because of the ice fisherman that have contacted me. They feel three strikes are too many. You need to know the warning then next time you go to court."

Sheriff Bratton hopes surrounding Law Enforcement agencies will consider a similar policy so it will be easier to enforce after joint rescue operation. He has a meeting scheduled with the U-S Coast Guard and Lucas County Sheriff James Telb next week.