(Michigan City, IN) - A meeting was held in Michigan City to discuss potential solutions to make being in the water safer.  There have been two recent drownings and a 14-year old pulled from the water over a week ago was last reported on life support.

There are no life guards at Washington Park this year due to lack of qualified applicants.  Parks Superintendent Ed Shinn said lifeguard shortages are a problem in other Lake Michigan communities and nationwide.

Shinn felt the number one solution is making sure everyone coming to the beach knows about the dangers of Lake Michigan.  He said most drowning victims are from outside the community and don’t know the risks involved with entering the water.  “They don’t understand the deadly rip current,” Shinn.

Other potential solutions discussed included providing lifeguards and jet ski patrols on the water.  City Councilman Don Pryzbylinski proposed the placement of life rings along the beach for anyone to grab to try and help someone struggling in the water.  He said life rings already existing along the lighthouse pier.