U.S. Coast Guard Issues Warning After Fifth Drowning Death
The Great Lakes are one of the greatest natural wonders of the United States, holding over 20 percent of all the world's fresh water and acting like large inland seas. But with their majesty comes danger, and the U.S. Coast Guard is issuing a new warning to locals and travelers alike after a series of deadly incidents in recent weeks.
U.S. Coast Guard Shares Warning After Deadly Accidents
The United States Coast Guard Audillary in Carlevoix, Michigan this week shared a post on Facebook revealing that there have been five drownings so far this winter on Lake Michigan, all related to people falling through the ice. Cold temperatures in the area have also led to a phenomenon known as "shelf ice," where mounds of wind-blown ice pile up near the shoreline containing holes and weak spots that can plunge an unsuspecting person straight into icy waters.
"Stay off. We cannot stress enough how dangerous shelf ice is. If you fall through the ice, the current can pull you under the water, and your body will not be recovered until spring," said Dave Benjamin, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Executive Director, in a statement to local outlet UpNorthLive. "Cold water shock, hyperventilation gasping, hypothermia, and possible death are not worth the momentary high-risk thrill. And with the warmer weather coming this week, these ice shelves will become even more dangerous."
Coast Guard Tips for Staying Safe on the Ice
The Coast Guard's safety information includes an acronym for venturing onto the ice in a smart manner. ICE stands for Information, Clothing, and Equipment:
- Information: Remain intelligent by checking weather and ice conditions before going out. Know your intended destination on the ice, and know how to call for help.
- Clothing: Wear sufficient clothing to prevent hypothermia. Choose bright colors and reflective garments to aid searchers if you end up needing help.
- Equipment: Never venture onto the ice without proper safety equipment: a marine radio, a Personal Locator Beacon, life jacket, and screw drivers or ice picks, which may allow you to pull yourself out of the water should you break through the ice.
The pamphlet also outlines a number of things to keep in mind about various types of ice:
"New ice is stronger than old ice. Clear blue ice is stronger than ice that is white, cloudy and mixed with snow," it reads. "Pack ice, formed by ice floes, has many weak joints and is unsafe to be on. Border ice, found near the shoreline, forms first and will stay strong late into the season. Be wary of ice degradation. At the beginning and end of the season, the ice will begin to degrade when the air temperature is above 32 degrees fahrenheight."
Lake Michigan's Deadly History
Lake Michigan numbers amongst the deadliest lakes in the United States, with hundreds of drowning deaths reported in just the last 25 years. As World Atlas notes, the lake's location near multiple urban areas and steep drop offs along popular beach areas in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin pose a hazard to swimmers. Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project data shows that of the 81 drownings in the Great Lakes in 2025, nearly half (39) were in Lake Michigan.