Coast Guard practices ice-rescue training

BAY COUNTY (WJRT) -- (01/22/09)--They serve and protect our nation's waters. The United States Coast Guard is an elite group recognized for world-class ice-rescue training.

And that training is being done here in Mid-Michigan.

The Coast Guard trains each and every year to keep its skills at a high level.

Charging through the cat tails along the Saginaw Bay coast in Bay County, members of the United States Coast Guard are practicing for the what if's.

"We walked a half mile just tonight to do our drill, to pull them out," said the guard's Andrew Zylinski. "I was the pulling the gear."

The guard was simulating nightfall ice rescues. The course brings Coasties from across the nation to train.

"What they are doing is taking these skills back to their unit, to train their unit," said instructor Danny Graves.

A flare illuminated the dark sky, pinpointing an exact location.

"I grew up ice fishing, so I know how dangerous it can be out here," Zylinski said. "It's rewarding to come out here and save people."

With some of the thickest ice, the Saginaw Bay is the perfect training ground.

"We are getting pretty well recognized for our ice rescue techniques," Graves said.

"It's rewarding," said Jimmy Roslee of Caseville.

Roslee is fine tuning his skills -- a tough task in freezing temperatures.

"The gear keeps you warm," he said. "(My) toes and fingers are a little cold. Jumping in and out of 40-degree water, you can't beat it."

"Maverick" was rescued and safe.

"The most rewarding thing about my job is making people happy after you helped, when they come into the station to say thank you," Zylinski said.

The course continues for the next three Wednesdays.

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local, kristen abraham

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