A male swimmer was rescued by a team of Evanston first responders a little after 4:30 p.m. Sunday, after he was found trapped against the Lighthouse Beach breakwall in Lake Michigan, according to Evanston interim fire Chief Matt Smith.
The team of first responders was able to stabilize the victim until Marine 21 and additional fire rescue watercraft arrived at the scene, per Smith.
The man and rescuers were later taken aboard the Marine 21 craft by fire and police personnel and given medical evaluation, according to police.
Two first responders suffered minor injuries during the rescue and taken to Evanston Hospital, police said, adding the victim declined transportation to the hospital.
Lighthouse Beach had signs Sunday saying swimming was not allowed, Smith said.
Almost exactly a year ago, a 17-year-old Evanston boy drowned after going underwater near a breakwall at Lighthouse Beach.
Evanston and many other communities “never permit swimmers” near breakwalls, Evanston Field Chief of Special Operations Sean Malloy, who oversees all of the fire department’s lakefront water rescue and safety operations, told Pioneer Press, because they “generate structural currents that consistently pull outward into the lake.”
“On days with north or northeast waves, that pull becomes exceptionally strong and can overpower even highly capable swimmers,” he said.
Breakwalls are large steel-and-rock structures designed to protect beaches from waves and erosion, but they pose “significant dangers due to the creation of unnatural outward‑pulling currents, hidden underwater hazards, and significant wave rebound,” according to Malloy.
More Top Picks Best Griddle Basting Covers And Domes
Once waves begin crashing against the breakwall, a swimmer can be “pinned in place, unable to swim out, especially in freshwater, which is less buoyant and more fatiguing than ocean (salt) water,” Malloy said.
“As occurred [Sunday], they also create extremely hazardous conditions for anyone who gets too close.”
Malloy said the best safety message for swimmers and beach visitors is a simple one: “Stay far away from breakwalls and rock lines and swim only within lifeguard‑supervised, designated swim areas.”
Malloy also said that although conditions “may not have appeared rough” on Sunday, Lake Michigan was experiencing “hazardous waves and currents at various times throughout the day,” which contributed to the “No Swimming” postings.
“In addition, late‑season operations depend heavily on available lifeguard staffing to ensure safe coverage,” Malloy said, noting that many seasonal lifeguards return to school.
First responders also urge residents not to enter the water at all when swimming is prohibited, especially during unfavorable weather.
The city encourages beach-goers to consult the Evanston beach status & closings website as well as look out for beach signs and colored flags to determine if swimming is allowed on a given day.
All local water rescue incidents are assisted by neighboring Wilmette and Winnetka Fire Departments as part of the three communities’ “joint water rescue agreement,” including Fireboat 2681 docked at Wilmette’s U.S. Coast Guard Station.