Tips to stay safe while swimming

Northern Michigan University Public Safety, the Marquette Township Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard were also on scene at Little Presque Isle Sunday.

Coast Guard personnel from Station Marquette arrived by boat to help the Marquette County Dive Team locate the swimmer.The conditions on and in the water made the rescue particularly difficult for both agencies.

“When we got on scene, people were standing on the shoreline directing us to where they last saw the person.  We conducted a quick shoreline search but because the EMT’s were standing on the cliffs, they were able to see down into the water.  But because of the depth of the water, we weren’t able to conduct a recovery.  So the Sheriff’s dive team conducted the recovery,” Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard James Robertson said.

Emergency personnel participate in regular training exercises to be ready for incidents such as the one that occurred on Sunday.

Chief Robertson says anyone on Lake Superior needs to consider the danger it presents.  He says the best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the weather forecast, know your personal limitations and wear a personal flotation device.

“If you’re ever doing any water activity, we will always say to wear a life jacket.  It has proven itself.  It will save your life.  We condone it.  We want people to wear their life–jackets,” he said.

Along with wearing a life jacket, the Coast Guard also insists that you should never swim alone in the lake and never drink alcohol if you are going out in the water.