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MARQUETTE -- “Unfortunately, it's not just like the old watering hole down the street--it's an inland ocean,” said Marquette City Manager Bill Vajda.   “And it carries with it its own risks."

But in order to make the area less dangerous, four major changes have taken place since last August.

First, there will be an addition of six lifesaving stations which will include personal flotation devices, rope, buoys, as well as other lifesaving equipment.  These will not be manned but will be set up at Presque Isle, McCarty's Cove, South Beach, Picnic Rocks, as well as two located at the beach area between Picnic Rocks and Hawley Street.

Second, there will be three flotation device loaner stations where beach guests will be able to utilize flotation devices free of charge.  These will be set up at Presque Isle, McCarty's Cove, and South Beach.

Third, one additional flagpole will be erected at Middle Bay.  The flag will alert people of surf conditions.

In the same area, two buoys will notify beachgoers of rip currents.

And finally, there will be a roaming lifeguard on duty, seven days a week, at Black Rocks as well as the cove south of Black Rocks.

"We're recommending on the north breakwall an embassy-style fence that's a rod iron type fence you see around the Coast Guard station with one way locking ability; so in periods of very high surf, we'll be able to lock it," said Marquette City Fire Chief Tom Belt.  “By next week, we should have that clarified.”

For additional information regarding the changes this swimming season, click here.