OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A lot of boaters are hitting the water this Fourth of July weekend, and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office marine unit is out in full force to keep everyone safe.
At White Lake, deputies are working double duty — enforcing boating safety as part of a national campaign and wrapping up a search for a man who went missing Saturday evening.
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Tom Ranes of Clawson, an avid fisherman, said the weather was perfect for a day on the water.
“It was nice. It was glass for a long time — meaning it was nice, no waves or anything,” he said.
White Lake is a popular spot for families seeking rest and relaxation under the broiling sun and high humidity. The inviting water draws many, but the sheriff’s office is reminding boaters to stay safe.
Lt. Brian Burwell of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said alcohol often plays a role in boating incidents.
“The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest seasons for boating, busiest weekends for boating. People want to have a good time, but we want them to have a safe time,” he said.
Since the campaign began in 2009, it has grown significantly. In 2024, 485 local, state and federal agencies and more than 7,000 officers participated in Operation Dry Water. Over the three-day weekend, officers made 584 boating under-the-influence arrests and issued 43,554 citations and warnings for safety violations.
Statistics show 85 percent of people who drown in recreational boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies from around the region searched for a man who went missing after entering the lake about 40 feet from shore on July 5 just after 7 p.m. Deputies believe he was not wearing a life jacket and have not confirmed how he entered the water.