Mackinac County Water Safety Review Team

This team began work in 1999 after a young man, 12 year old Travis Brown, drowned in Lake Michigan along the “dunes” section of US-2. The Mackinac County Water Safety Review Team informs the public of the dangers of rip currents and promots water safety in this area. It is comprised of representatives from the United States Forest Service, Michigan State University Extension, National Weather Ser

vice, MSP-Dive Team, US Coast Guard, Mackinac County 911 and Emergency Services, MSU Sea Grant, U of M Naval Architecture Marine Engineer, and others. Since the team began, the members have been working diligently on promoting water safety education and the dangers that rip currents can cause, and making our area beaches safer to the residents and visitors who frequent them. There are now 10 rescue stations along a seven-mile stretch of the US-2 dunes area. Each station houses a life preserver, boogie board, and life vest. There are Break the Grip of the Rip current flyers available in rest areas and some hotels throughout Mackinac County. Since beginning in 1999, this group has held Water Safety Conferences and are working with other areas to try and put together a statewide rip current safety group.