Make safety priority when swimming

Summer is a season associated with many enjoyable activities, and outdoor swimming is one of them. But it’s always heartbreaking when a fun outing on Lake Erie, or another waterway, turns tragic.

This thought crossed our mind when the body of a 16-year-old boy was recovered on Aug. 8 by the U.S. Coast Guard from Lake Erie, about a half-mile north of the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, along with members of the Painesville Township Fire Department, initially responded Aug. 6 to the north end of the breakwall at Headlands Beach State Park. It was reported that a youth, who had been swimming with friends at that location, went under the water and did not resurface.

According to the authorities, the boy was not wearing any type of personal flotation device.

Additional resources on Aug. 6 were brought in to assist with the search from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and Dive Team, the Mentor Fire Department Dive Team, the Fairport Harbor Fire Department, the Lake County UAS (Drone) Team, and the Ohio Division of Parks and Watercraft.

The search went into the night with the boy not being located.

Search and recovery efforts continued on Aug. 7 with special assets also brought in from the Southwest Emergency Response Team out of Cuyahoga County.

Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno noted the team was able to provide the use of their “Kongsberg” Sector Sonar, which was used throughout the area around the breakwall.

According to authorities, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol continued search efforts throughout the morning on Aug. 8.

At 8:14 p.m., the office was advised that a recreational boater had located the body of a deceased male who had surfaced near the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse.

The Coast Guard was able to respond and it was confirmed to be the missing 16-year-old boy, the release stated. The family was quickly notified of the recovery by deputies and the Mentor Police Department.

Leonbruno and Chief Deputy Jeff Sherwood, who has served on the Marine Patrol Unit, emphasized that the waters of Lake Erie can be dangerous, as currents and riptides often cannot be seen or detected easily, especially near and around the breakwall.

“The lighthouse area is not a safe area to swim from,” Leonbruno said.

“The current of the Grand River exits into the lake there, clashing and creating extreme undertows. Even experienced swimmers can have trouble. Traversing on those rocks in the area can be extremely hazardous, and the distance from the lighthouse to the breakwall isn’t as short as many people believe.”

Other factors also add to the already dangerous environment, Sherwood added.

“Boats coming into the waters often don’t see swimmers at all and divers who do go in searching experience low visibility, maybe just 2 feet,” he said.

“It can be hazardous for them, too. Water and wind pushing in from the west, for example, can also increase the danger.

“Swimmers get stuck on the breakwall, also, because they are too exhausted and don’t have the energy to swim back. We’ve found makeshift ropes and ties to help get back to the lighthouse, but it’s not a good idea at all to attempt it.”

Extreme safety should be exercised when swimming in the waters of Lake Erie, deputies reiterated. Personal flotation devices can and do save lives.

We convey our sympathies to the family and friends of the teen who drowned.

It’s also our hope that the advice shared by Sheriff’s Office officials about swimming safety hits close to home for many readers.

We support all efforts to increase awareness about the potential dangers of swimming and how to prevent future drownings.

Summer is great time to go for a swim.

But, by all means, do it safely.

We convey our sympathies to the family and friends of the teen who drowned. It’s also our hope that the advice shared by Sheriff’s Office officials hits close to home for many readers.