Swimmers ignore Nickel Plate safety system

HURON — Police were forced to close Nickel Plate after several people disobeyed a warning system installed to protect swimmers following two deaths at the beach this summer.Nickel Plate is known to develop dangerous rip and structural currents under certain wind conditions, which can carry swimmers to deeper water.The city of Huron, which operates the beach, raises a red flag to indicate when swimming isn't allowed due to dangerous weather conditions.The red flag system was implemented in response to the deaths of two swimmers — Alvin Martin, 19, and Brittany Young, 29 — in separate incidences in July. A sign is in place to inform visitors of the flag's meaning."The system is very new and is still unknown to many of the patrons coming to the beach," city manager Andy White said. "It will take time to modify behavior and law enforcement is an important variable in establishing the new policy."On Friday and Saturday, Huron police were called to the beach several times after concerned citizens witnessed people swimming in the water while the red flag was up."This past weekend, officers warned several swimmers of dangerous conditions while the red flag was deployed and advised them to stay out of the water," White said. "Everyone complied. But if the orders were not followed, it would lead to an eventual citation."Huron police Chief Bob Lippert ordered the beach closed Saturday because of the ongoing issues. The beach was eventually reopened. The city is continuing to seek new ways to make the beach safer and to better understand the conditions that can make it dangerous.The city has already added signs describing the danger of rip currents and White's office is working to get a study done on the beach to determine the safest location for a designated swimming zone."The 2019 season is coming to a close shortly but planning efforts to maximize safety at the beach will continue this fall and winter with a more comprehensive program anticipated for the 2020 season," White said.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterFollowing the death of a second swimmer at Nickel Plate Beach in July, the city added new signs to warn people about dangerous currents and a flag system to let people know when it's too dangerous to swim.