The United States Coast Guard is expanding its summer emergency response coverage on Lake Michigan by opening seasonal air facilities in Muskegon and Waukegan for the 2026 boating season.
U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Cristina Silva tells us they do this every year to ensure there’s a guard crew within two hours of any place in Lake Michigan where an air rescue might be needed.
“With the increase of recreational vessels out on the water, we want to ensure that our response times are faster and that we are ready in the air within a couple minutes to an hour,” Silva said. “We have two hours there taking care of two air facilities, which allows us time to just be on scene.”
Lake Michigan stretches more than 300 miles and covers roughly 22,000 square miles, creating a large area for rescue crews to monitor between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Silva says boaters should take precautions to prepare for emergencies before heading out on the water to protect themselves and make the Coast Guard’s job easier.
“What is helpful is mariners being on life jackets so that they can be safe themselves until we get out there, as well as knowing how to utilize their distress signals, distress frequencies, and then other good Samaritans are also of a great help.”
The Coast Guard responds to nearly 100 search and rescue incidents each year.
The new seasonal deployment marks the unofficial start of the Great Lakes boating season, when increased recreational activity leads to a higher demand for emergency response services.
