DETROIT – As temperatures ramp up, the water will get busy, and the St. Clair County sheriff is pleading for boaters to stay safe.
With more than one million registered boats in our state, it can get really busy, especially during the height of summer.
Many people look forward to boating season, spending time with their family and friends out on the water, and making memories, but each year in Michigan, there are many preventable boating accidents.
“We’re out here to make sure that you have a good experience,” said St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King.
Local 4 took a ride on Lake St. Clair, and King said he wants to ensure you stay safe for those of you who will spend time on a boat this summer.
“The water can be very, very dangerous, so many times people get too comfortable with the water, and they make decisions to put themselves in a losing situation,” King said.
Before you head out on the water, King says to make sure your boat is in good working condition and has all the necessary safety equipment, such as life vests for everyone on board, a flare gun, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a communication device. King also says you should always let someone on land know where you’re headed.
“So if you are going to go out on your boat, we will tell people to make sure somebody on shore knows when you are leaving, kind of where you are going to be at, and when you should be back in case there is something going on we know where to go looking for you,” King said.
King says one of the most common issues is boating under the influence.
That’s why King believes it’s important for his department to raise awareness about boating safety at the start of the season.
“Well, it can be frustrating when you see people get hurt, that’s when I get frustrated,” King said. “I don’t mind doing refreshers.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Marine division will patrol the county’s waterways, doing random boat checks, checking for proper registration and safety equipment, and making sure the boat operator is sober.