Rescue life rings are expected to be installed on a southwest Michigan pier along the shores of Lake Michigan before Memorial Day weekend. St. Joseph Commissioners have approved a plan for a dozen life rings along the city's North Pier where historic lighthouses are located.
The city was one of the few communities along Lake Michigan that hadn't installed rings on its pier. The 20-inch rings and 90-foot-throw lines are estimated to cost about $6,450. City Manager John Hodgson says an anonymous donor has helped cover some expenses, bringing the final cost to around $5,000. He says the city is concerned with liability, but Mayor Mike Garey says saving lives should be the top priority.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department has volunteered to inspect the pier daily.
