SAINT IGNACE, Mich. – U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie will be conducting a series of search and rescue training exercises offshore of Saint Ignace, Mich., in the afternoon and evening of Wednesday.
Residents of Saint Ignace and Mackinaw City may see increased emergency response activities on Lake Huron east of the Mackinac Bridge as Coast Guard members from Station Saint Ignace and Sector Sault Sainte Marie test advanced search and rescue techniques. The goal of this exercise is to test advanced thermal imaging and the use of unmanned aerial systems in performing search and rescue as well as detecting oil spills. As part of the exercise, Coast Guard members will be utilizing a thermally detectable mannequin in the water along with environmentally safe dye marker. The Coast Guard in Northern Michigan is working to stay on the cutting edge of response best practices by testing and leveraging emerging technologies.
Mariners observing persons or vessels in distress are reminded to contact the Coast Guard on marine VHF channel 16 or the Sector Sault Sainte Marie Search and Rescue Line at 906-632-0967.
Requests for additional information may be directed to Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie’s Chief of Emergency Management, Steven Keck at 906-253-2408.
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