(New Buffalo, MI) - People going in the water during potential rip current conditions at the public beach in New Buffalo will now be subject to $500 fines.

 

Boaters also face the same penalty if heading to Lake Michigan in the city’s public channel during lake conditions viewed as too dangerous for their watercraft.

 

The fines, applying to violators of all ages, are contained in an ordinance that was approved unanimously by the City Council on Monday.

 

New Buffalo City Manager Darwin Watson said fines, under state law, cannot be given to people under the age of 18. However, parents or guardians of children in the water despite red flag conditions will be ticketed, even those not with them at the public beach at the time.

 

“We will look to fine the parent because there has to be a responsible person for anyone underage,” he said.

 

Mayor John Humphrey said a parent or guardian will also be subject to a $500 penalty for each person they’re responsible for in the water, despite warnings at the beach to stay out.

 

Humphrey said the ordinance is in response to at least 15 calls involving beachgoers and jet ski operators in distress at the public beach in July and

August, some of which required rescue.

 

In one case during the summer, Humphrey said two children nearly drowned in a rescue involving a lifeguard, who had to be pulled from the water by police due to exhaustion.

 

Earlier this month, he said six people were caught trying to launch a rowboat in the channel beside the public beach parking lot, despite a storm churning up nine-foot-high waves on the lake.

 

He said a police officer stopped them before they could venture out on the water.

 

“We got some people doing these things that are not very smart and they endanger the lives of our first responders trying to save them,” he said.

 

Humphrey said the portion of the ordinance governing boats is meant primarily for small watercraft like jet skis, citing an example where two passengers riding one overturned in rough conditions, winding up on the rocks at the breakwall.

 

“That’s what we had problems with this summer,” he said.

 

The ordinance was tailored after measures other Lake Michigan communities have placed in the books to try and reduce such problems.

 

“A sizable fine can be a deterrent,” he said.

 

Watson said the public will be informed about violators being subject to fines via signage at the beach, along with information posted on the city’s webpage among other forms of media.

 

“Hopefully, we don’t have to use it,”

 

Humphrey said the ordinance does not apply when the lake can be reached from private property.