Lack Of Lake Lifeguards Left High and Dry With Committee

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/28/2025) Michigan has 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. Indiana has 45.

The Hoosier State has more lifeguards at its Great Lakes public beaches than Michigan, which has two, according to testimony given this week to the House Public Health and Food Security Subcommittee.

Dr. Greg Field Jr. said Michigan has had more than 700 drownings between 2019-23, with 40 percent of those coming from natural water. He and Bob Pratt, director of education for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue, said many of the drownings could be prevented if lifeguards were stationed on the beaches.

Their statements were backed up by the testimony of Lisa MacDonald, whose 19-year-old daughter and her 22-year-old boyfriend were swept up in choppy Lake Michigan waters in South Haven. Both drowned.

After the tragedy, MacDonald said she vowed to see what could be done to prevent future incidents.

“What I found out about the lack of water safety and education was sickening,” MacDonald said. “To say that the safety systems in place are broken is a total understatement.

“Having safe beaches should not be seen as a privilege, but rather a responsibility.”

The committee did not have any bills in front of it from which to take action, but Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) did concede that “it's disappointing” that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had the response to the drownings "that it is isn't a priority.”

Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) shared that she nearly drowned in Lake Michigan one time, but never grasped the extent of the issue. "This has been an education for me," she said.