U.S. Coast Guard stresses water safety as summer approaches

With the official start of summer quickly approaching, many will be heading out to the lake for some fun in the water.

The United States Coast Guard station in St. Joseph, Michigan, is promoting water safety as the season kicks off.

The U.S. Coast Guard stresses the importance of being cautious in the water, especially around this time of year, because of the cold temperature of the lake.

They also say that wearing life jackets at all times is key, especially while on a boat.

“Even the best of swimmers can get caught in something,” said BM2 Casey Johnson of Station St. Joseph. “For 2016, we had almost the highest number of fatalities and a lot of those came from paddle boarders or kayakers.”

On May 19th, at the Berrien County Sheriffs parking lot, the U.S. Coast Guard from Station St. Joseph will be teaming up with local Michigan counties to promote Safe Boating Week.