MUSKEGON, Mich. - People are flocking to Lake Michigan to cool off and enjoy the water and new beach safety rescue stations are helping people stay safe too.
A new station was unveiled Tuesday at Pioneer County Park in Muskegon. The stations include a Life Jacket Station with free loaner life jackets, available on a first-come, first-served basis. It also includes a Rescue Station which includes rescue boards, rescue tubes, throw bags, life rings and life vests that beach goers can use in an emergency while waiting for first responders to arrive.
Muskegon County has had 60 drownings since 2003. In Michigan, there have been over 400 drownings in the Great Lakes since 2010.
The Pioneer County Park site is first for Muskegon County. A second station is being added at Lake Harbor Park in Norton Shores on Thursday. A third site is expected before the end of the summer.
The stations are funded through a Michigan Sea Grant along with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
