How it all started

The Lake Michigan Yachting Association (LMYA) was founded in 1894 by members of five Wisconsin and Illinois yacht clubs: Milwaukee Yacht Club, Racine Yacht Club, Green Bay Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, and Lincoln Park Yacht Club.

The members met at the Racine Yacht Club with the goal of creating an organization that would govern sailing races on Lake Michigan, and promote the enjoyment of yachting on the lake.

At its heart, the LMYA is an organization dedicated to the joy of cruising on Lake Michigan, and it works hard to keep the lake clean and safe for boaters.

Since its founding, the LMYA has expanded its mission to become a valuable resource for boaters on Lake Michigan. At its heart, it is an organization dedicated to the joy of cruising on Lake Michigan, and it works hard to keep the lake clean and safe for boaters.

Protecting Lake Michigan

The LMYA is committed to protecting the beauty and health of Lake Michigan for current and future boaters. The association stays informed about activities impacting Lake Michigan and its tributaries, particularly those contributing to

• the spread of invasive plant and animal species,
• industrial waste pollution, and
• wastewater treatment plant overflows.

One of the LMYA’s greatest achievements was a lawsuit filed against two steel mills in Indiana that polluted the Burns Waterway. As a result of the LMYA’s lawsuit and others, the company responsible for the pollution is building a new facility that will run on natural gas instead of coal and has donated land to be added to the Dunes National Park. Another steel mill has also abandoned plans to build a new coke battery and will instead build a natural gas facility.

Healthy lake, healthy community

Community Engagement and Philanthropy

The LMYA also understands that the health of the lake is tied to the health of the surrounding communities. The LMYA and many of it’s member clubs sponsor events that benefit the surrounding community and bring the joy of boating and awareness of Lake Michigan a wider audience.

Boater Safety on the Lake

The LMYA is working to ensure that boaters are aware of new laws and regulations, such as the requirement for recreational vessels less than 26 feet to use engine cut-off switches and associated links. The LMYA’s commodore is on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) which meets in Washington, D.C. to discuss issues that affect navigation and safety on the coasts and on the Great Lakes. The NBSAC provides input for legislation pertaining to navigation and boating issues. 

A Bright Future for the LMYA

The LMYA is a vibrant organization with a rich history. The LMYA has demonstrated its ability to adapt to the changing needs of boaters on Lake Michigan and is committed to protecting the lake for future generations. By continuing to advocate for environmental protection, boater safety, and community engagement, the LMYA will ensure that Lake Michigan remains a treasured resource for all.