Families of drowning victims gather to celebrate passage of bill requiring water safety equipment at Indiana beaches [Video]

BEVERLY SHORES, Ind. — Families of drowning victims gathered in Indiana on Memorial Day to honor their loved ones and celebrate the passage of a bill requiring new water safety equipment at beaches.

Evelyn Hernandez has been a water safety advocate ever since she became a drowning survivor.

“I was here at this very beach June 12, 2012, on a 90-degree day at noon with my boyfriend, 32-year-old Leonel Dominguez, who passed away by 2 p.m. that very day,” Hernandez said.

Since then Hernandez has fought for more precautions, particularly around Lake Michigan.

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“Leo jumped out of the raft to swim us to shore, however, the wind was too strong, the water was too cold, and the raft flipped away with the wind,” Hernandez said.

On Monday in Beverly Shores, Hernandez was joined by 12 other families who all know all know the pain of losing a loved one to …