[chris]

The Coast Guard responded Feb. 7 to an urgent request for medical assistance for a woman on Mackinac Island.

Helicopters are generally used for these missions, but difficult weather at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City made that impossible. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay, a 140-foot icebreaker, was underway clearing a path on the St. Marys River and diverted to Mackinac Island.

Katmai Bay arrived at the island's main dock about 11 a.m. and embarked the woman with help from local EMS. The cutter then broke a path to St. Ignace in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where EMS was waiting.

The woman was transported to a local hospital for next level care.