A major rescue mission was launched after a snowmobile rider became stranded on an ice floe during a blinding whiteout.
Coastguards and first responders raced to reach the man after he became stuck on the drifting ice in treacherous conditions.
Blizzard weather was so severe that helicopter crews were unable to take off, forcing rescuers to come up with a different plan.
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Instead, a boat was deployed to carry a rescue team across the icy waters to reach the stranded rider.
The dramatic rescue happened off Mackinac Island in Michigan on Sunday (15 March).
When crews finally reached the snowmobiler, he was suffering from mild hypothermia, but officials said he was in stable condition.
Authorities also revealed the rider had earlier been warned not to head out because the conditions had been described as worse than a whiteout, as reported by Need To Know.
After the rescue, US Coast Guard Lt William Erickson praised the response.
He said: “The response was a phenomenal team effort in saving a person in distress.
“All hands played a pivotal role to include a challenging ice rescue deployment in harsh weather, seamless ship wide execution and superb coordination with Coastguard Sector North and Great Lakes.
“This case is a powerful reminder that when lives are on the line, the Coastguard is ready to respond.”
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