MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) — As summer heat draws people to the beach, one device is helping to save lives. Four new warning towers purchased from SwimSmart Technology will soon be part of an effort to keep beachgoers safe by informing them of current water conditions at Marquette’s most popular beaches.
Similar to the old flag system, the new towers will have green, yellow, red and double red lights to inform bathers of current water conditions based on wind speed and wave height.
Green lights indicate safe swimming areas, yellow lights indicate a water advisory and when the red light is on the public is advised not to enter the water.
But what sets SwimSmart apart is that instead of relying on manual labor, it features solar-powered technology and automatic live updates from the National Weather Service. The flag system means lifeguards don’t have to take their attention away from the water when they need to update on water advisories.
Marquette Fire Chief Jim Davis says four new fire towers will be installed by the end of the month, two at McCarty’s Cove and one each at Clark Park and South Beach.
In addition to the lighting warning system, the tower will have an emergency button to contact the central control center and a rescue ring inside the case.
SwimSmart towers are not a replacement for lifeguards, but they do provide peace of mind where lifeguards are not available.
“We could only protect one beach (McCarty’s Cove), so we needed something more to protect the other beaches,” Davis said.
Case studies at five Michigan locations where SwimSmart is already installed have shown the system is effective in informing swimmers and reducing drownings, with Marquette beach having had no drownings since 2010.
The highly visible tower lights will be on all day every day, but the lights near residential areas will be dimmed.
