Catawba Island News

The U.S. Coast Guard and representatives from local emergency response agencies responded to the scene of a truck that fell through the ice, Friday morning, near Catawba Island in western Lake Erie. Two people were in the truck when it broke through the ice, but they were able to escape and get to shore before the truck completely fell through the ice. At about 10 a.m., a watchstander at Coast Guard Station Marblehead, Ohio, received a call from a dispatcher at the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, who was relaying a report originally received by the Catawba Island Township Police Department that a truck was falling through the ice. The vehicle reportedly fell through the ice about a quarter mile north of Catawba Island near the Miller Ferry Boat Lines.

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning residents of southern Lake Erie islands that commercial icebreaking operations are scheduled to take place Monday, and possibly Tuesday, between South Bass and Catawba islands. Operations are scheduled to begin Monday at about 1 a.m. when the tug Ohio departs Cleveland and transits to South Bass Island between Kellys and Middle islands. At about 10 a.m., the Ohio will then depart South Bass Island from Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and will be followed by the tug Bessie J, which will be towing one barge. All vessels will travel around the eastern part of South Bass Island toward the Miller’s Ferry Dock on Catawba Island and will utilize the Miller's Ferry route. The vessels plan to remain in Catawba Island for about two hours during loading operations.

PT-728, one of the few remaining examples of the torpedo-armed fast attack craft that helped America win WWII, is no ordinary boat. To help move the vessel carefully, HOSTAR Marine used a hydraulic yard trailer. Portraying various sister boats, PT-728 has played a starring role in numerous movies and documentaries, most famously as PT-73 in the television show McHale's Navy. She is the only U.S. Coast Guard-inspected PT boat licensed to take passengers for hire. Currently undergoing restoration at the Liberty Aircraft Museum in Port Clinton…

18 Tall Ships from around the world to navigate into the Western Basin of Lake Erie for 'The Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial,' Aug. 29, 2013. From Norway to Duluth, Minnesota, the tall ships of the past now call ports from all over the world home. With large crews, constant upkeep and a host of other responsibilities, unveiling these pristine wooden vessels is a massive undertaking. Floating on the horizon with what looks like a scene out of the film Master and Commander, these historical work horses only make special, precisely timed appearances.

Navico, parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G brands, announced the hiring of two new Regional Sales Managers, Chris Melena and Russ Stevens. Melena and  Stevens will drive sales and support dealers, distributors and retail customers in the Great Lakes and New England regions, respectively. Each Sales Manager has over a decade of experience in the marine industry and brings a wealth of talent to the Navico sales team. Prior to joining Navico, Melena was a Regional Sales Manager with Raymarine in their Great Lakes territory. He entered the marine industry in 1993 and has held positions at Captain’s Marine Supply and West Marine. Mr. Melena grew up boating on Lake Erie and is an experienced sailor. He is a graduate of Miami University and resides in Catawba Island, Ohio.

1799- Having existed essentially nameless for 8-1/2 years, Alexander Hamilton's "system of cutters" was referred to in legislation as "Revenue Cutters."  Some decades later, the name evolved to Revenue Cutter Service and Revenue Marine. 1940- The ocean station program was formally established on 25 January 1940 under orders from President Franklin Roosevelt. The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the U. S. Weather Service, were given responsibility for its establishment and operation. The program was first known as the Atlantic Weather Observation Service and later known (and "beloved') by thousands of Coast Guardsmen who served after World War II as the "Ocean Station" program.

A Captain and three crewmen from the passenger/vehicle ferry service, Miller Boat Line, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, will be honored with a Certificate of Appreciation given by the ODNR Division of Watercraft, at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 15, 2010, at the Miller Ferry Dock, Catawba Island, Ohio. The award will be given by Chief Pamela Dillon, head of the ODNR Division of Watercraft, Columbus, Ohio. The honor of "lifesaving efforts" will be given to Captain Steve Rose and crew members Jacob Market, Bernie Wise, and Greg Johnson. The four men were working aboard a Lake Erie Islands ferry, the William Market, on the morning of Friday, August 13, 2010, when a single engine privately owned plane crashed into the lake near the Miller Ferry Lime Kiln Dock, Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

1799- Having existed essentially nameless for 8-1/2 years, Alexander Hamilton's "system of cutters" was referred to in legislation as "Revenue Cutters."  Some decades later, the name evolved to Revenue Cutter Service and Revenue Marine. 1940- The ocean station program was formally established on 25 January 1940 under orders from President Franklin Roosevelt. The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the U. S. Weather Service, were given responsibility for its establishment and operation. The program was first known as the Atlantic Weather Observation Service and later known (and "beloved') by thousands of Coast Guardsmen who served after World War II as the "Ocean Station" program.