Photo:  Ryan Cantenbury

By Kaylyn Hlavaty of News5 - July 30, 2019

The U.S. Coast Guard says from Jan 1. to July 26, there have been 64 drownings on the Great Lakes. Contributing factors in these deaths include cold water, rip currents, boating under the influence, boating without a life jacket, not filing a plan with someone on shore and not having signaling devices.

The deaths were reported across the region in Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Ontario.

Map of drownings in the Great Lakes.  Image:  U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard said wearing a life jacket is critical, providing a recent case on Monday when a 57-year-old woman was rescued after spending more than 14 hours in the water after falling off her jet ski the night before. They said likely survived because she was wearing a life jacket.

The most recent death reported, not included in the 64 deaths, was the body of a 65-year-old man who went missing from Catawba Island that was found Sunday.

Last week, officials in Huron closed Nickel Plate Beach after a second swimmer in two weeks went missing.

The Coast Guard urges those spending time on the water to be aware of the danger on the water and how to prevent a tragedy before it happens. Officials advise the public to know the conditions of the lake, know the water temperature and know the weather.

To read the original article follow this link to the News5 website.  https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/64-drownings-reported-on-great-lakes-so-far-this-year