Fishermen may be sent bill for last winter's ice rescues

PORT CLINTON (AP) -- As Lake Erie begins to freeze, Ohio authorities are making changes following last winter's stranding of 130 fishermen on an ice floe.

The rescue operation cost the Coast Guard more than $245,000 on Feb. 7, after a huge chunk of ice broke away in the lake. Local agencies dealt with about $20,000 in costs.

Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton says rescues from lake ice will now be coordinated by fire departments, and they will decide whether any fishermen will face civil penalties effectively billing them for the local services. The sheriff's department will determine whether any criminal charges are in order. Sheriff Bratton says he wants people to use common sense.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman says it does not seek to recover costs related to rescues.

I say let happen happen, if there not smart enough to know better then there is no place in my book to reproduce and create more stupid, let them panic let them shit there drawers let them wet there selves and cry for there mommy's call me and i will come cheer the morons on. and the BOOK THERE ASSES INTO THE COUNTY JAIL TILL SPRING.