The city of South Haven is enforcing its new beach ordinance, adopted in January. City Manager Kate Hosier says they are taking an “aggressive stance on water safety.” Violators face a $1,000 fine and civil infraction for ignoring the ordinance, which also prohibits diving or jumping from a pier. It bans people from entering or trying to get into the water when the beach is closed. Beaches can be closed for contamination, unsafe debris washing onshore, rescue and recovery efforts, waves over eight feet, and severe weather. Signs will be up when the beach is closed. The beach closures are not for people that are surfing or using any kind of board if the closure is due to weather or wave heights, but the city says that will be at anyone’s own risk. The city says it is also illegal to jump or dive from a pier or swim within 50 feet of them.
