SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — South Haven city leaders now have a plan in front of them to bring lifeguards back to their Lake Michigan beaches. This comes after an increase in drownings over the past few years. On Monday night the South Haven City Council discussed a plan to reintroduce lifeguards to South Haven's beaches.
"One in 18 million drown on a guarded beach. So you can imagine how many we're drowning on an unguarded beach. Here in the City of South Haven we actually had lifeguards for over 50 years and there were only two drownings during that time with zero lawsuits. So now since we've not had lifeguards, there's been 12 drownings, and we've had three or four lawsuits because of those," said Heather Johnson, lifeguard plan creator.
The South Haven City Council recently voted to appoint Johnson, a city resident, to create a lifeguard plan. Johnson has witnessed four South Haven drownings and said this was the main reason why she got involved with the lifeguard plan.
"I'm a local here and I'm tired of seeing all of this. So I'm gonna get up and do something about it. So I just created this nonprofit to be able to go out and do beachside education, and go from towel to towel talking to people about what rip currents are, what long short currents and structural currents and offshore winds are so that way they can mitigate those risks in order to enjoy the lake safely," said Johnson.
Several city council members said bringing lifeguards back is a priority. It's a move water safety advocates, including Lisa MacDonald, the mother of a drowning victim, said is overdue and needed at more beaches.
"I say lifeguards should not be seen as a liability or luxury. Rather, they should be seen as a priority and a responsibility. The towns are bringing these people in. They're making a lot of money on these people. And people don't understand the powers of Lake Michigan. And I think it's the cities along Lake Michigan's responsibilities to protect those tourists so that they can keep coming back year after year after year and enjoy the lake," said MacDonald.
MacDonald's daughter drowned at a South Haven beach in 2022. According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, seven people have drowned in Lake Michigan while swimming at South Haven area beaches since 2019. Resident Jenny Cook, who visits the beaches often, said she agrees with the lifeguard plan.
"You know, Lake Michigan is beautiful. But it can be very dangerous. And there's so many visitors who might not know the dangers. So lifeguards will be really welcomed here," she said.
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