Ice floe rescue exceeded $265K

PORT CLINTON - The U.S. Coast Guard has released an estimate that puts the cost of the Feb. 7 mass ice rescue at more than a quarter million dollars.

According to the Coast Guard, about $245,186 was spent on the rescue -- $11,050 on air boat use and maintenance, $21,058 on personnel (not including flight crews), $134,028 on three helicopters and $79,050 on one C-130 aircraft.

Lt. Dave French, a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard, said the costs were tallied using standard rate calculations.

In comparison, French said the Coast Guard's efforts to rescue two professional football players and another man lost at sea in Florida cost about $1.6 million. The Coast Guard called off the search for the men March 3 after a three days.

Sheriff Bob Bratton said the cost estimate for service provided by 20 local fire departments, emergency medical services and police departments is $20,000.

He said the local figure is calculated based on Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement rates.

Bratton is considering ways for local agencies to recoup the cost of rescues like the one in February that left more than 100 anglers stranded on a Lake Erie ice floe.

The sheriff is hosting a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ottawa County Courthouse for local fisherman to discuss policy changes that would make people who need to be rescued from the ice liable for civil damages in Ottawa County.

"Ice fishermen will be allowed to discuss their concerns and comment," Bratton said. "We're open to suggestions. We want to hear what they have to say."

And he's not the only one looking into new regulations.

According to Bratton, state representatives in Columbus are researching new state laws or permits that would regulate who can be out on the ice. There is also talk of fines for those who have to be rescued, he said.

"There are various representatives working on various bills," Bratton said. "Any money that's collected should not go to the state -- it should go to into a special fund for ice rescue operations."

While he is mindful many local businesses rely on ice fishing as financial bridge from season to season, Bratton said he did not think local policy changes would affect winter tourism.

Lake Erie Shores and Islands West director Larry Fletcher said he will attend the Thursday meeting to learn more about the issue.

"I'm comfortable that (local officials) all realize the value and they will work to find a solution to provide for safety and security but will also provide for the opportunity for anglers," Fletcher said.

He said the bureau would be on board with distributing policy guidelines and safety information to people coming to the area to enjoy winter sports on the lake.

"To have a policy that is put together with input from the some of the charter captains who I think will be in attendance and some of the interested fishermen out there I think is going to be the key to a solution that is going to be accepted by everyone," Fletcher said.

Bratton said part of the problem Feb. 7 was many of the anglers caught on the ice were from out of town. Bratton said state, local and federal agencies will never post information deeming the ice "safe" -- it would create too much liability. But Bratton is looking into other ways to inform inexperienced and visiting anglers about ice safety and dangerous conditions.

"We all need to come to the table and talk about it," Bratton said. "There should be some accountability."

 

(The Sandusky Register is a FOXToledo.com media affilaite)