The City of Sturgeon Bay will explore additional ways to warn boaters of a troublesome reef in the channel of Sturgeon Bay. At Monday's meeting, the Harbor Commission addressed Dunlap’s Reef, located just north of the Michigan Street Bridge. Committee Chair Gary Nault says poor boating contributes to the accidents, but better marking could help prevent more visitors from running aground with their vessels. He says, in his opinion, Dunlap’s Reef is one of the most dangerous waters in Lake Michigan.

Nault cited two incidents from last year, including a 42-foot Sea Ray yacht that suffered $650,000 in damages and a ski boat that was damaged in October. He added that if the water level rises six more inches over the winter, the reef will be barely underwater and even more dangerous this boating season. The Harbor Commission will look into getting additional markings, including lighted buoys, for Dunlap’s Reef, after gaining permission from the United States Coast Guard, who could not attend Monday’s meeting. 

(photo: A damaged prop that was found near Dunlap's reef last year that Nault displayed at the Harbor Commission meeting)