The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit is opening seasonal air facilities to boost Lake Michigan coverage.

The facilities will be in Muskegon, Michigan, and Waukegan, Illinois during the busy summer boating season.

Lake Michigan stretches more than 300 miles and covers over 22-thousand square miles, prompting the Coast Guard to add forward-deployed crews between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when most search and rescue calls occur.

Air Station Detroit responds to nearly 100 rescue missions each year.

Boaters are encouraged to practice safe boating habits and schedule free vessel safety checks through the Coast Guard Auxiliary before heading out on the water this summer.