Go Through the Ice on Your Snowmobile? Expect Huge Fines in Michigan

The last thing anyone wants is to put their snowmobile through the ice. However, it happens from time to time in Michigan. Just know this, if it happens to you, it's going to cost you big time.

The U.S. Coast Guard recently issued a warning for owners and operators of any motorized vehicle that enters a waterway with USCG jurisdiction, may face thousands of dollars in civil penalties for negligent violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, specifically Clean Water Act 33 U.S.C. 1321.

These warnings usually come after rescuers have had to save someone who went through the ice. The big problem, of course, is the release of oil and fuel into the water, which poses a major environmental risk.

Before you take your sled across the ice, be smart and check the thickness. Make sure it's at least five inches thick, that's the minimum. Keep in mind that ice thickness can vary across a waterway.

Falling through the ice is an extremely terrifying experience. If it happens to you, try to stay calm and, if possible, return in the direction you came from.

If you put your snowmobile through the ice in Michigan, it’s not just a bad day—it could cost you big time. According to MLive, you could be looking at a fine anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 for polluting state waters.

While training to become a certified scuba diver years ago, I took my final test in Lake Fenton. While diving in the deep, cold water, we came across a lot of things that had sunk to the bottom over the years. Among the items we saw were snowmobiles. It was pretty wild—one moment you're exploring, and the next, there's a snowmobile in front of you with fish swimming around it.