Lighted towers will show flag warnings at Grand Haven State Park
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — Eight orange towers line the shoreline of Grand Haven State Park as water safety officials prepare to activate new technology ahead of the summer beach season.
The SwimSmart warning system displays real-time weather and water data to help advise swimmers and watersports enthusiasts of potential risks. Similar to the flag system beachgoers are familiar with, the beach warning lights at the top of the tower will display green, yellow, red and double red lights depending on hazard conditions. If conditions are at their worst, a warning alarm will accompany the double red lights to show that water access is closed.
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There have been nine drownings in the Great Lakes already this year; there were 85 in 2023, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
Jacob Soter, who invented the towers now in use at Grand Haven, told News 8 that he has been passionate about water safety in the Mitten state for nearly a decade. The towers in Grand Haven are the first of their kind, Soter said, and are made in Holland.
A safety ring is also installed on each tower and is accessible to the public in case of an emergency. If used, the removal of the safety device will also trigger an alert to local first responders.
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The eight towers are scheduled to be activated May 20, so they will be working in time for Memorial Day weekend.
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