Warm summer days in the Keweenaw means days spent on the lake, but safety should always be in the back of your mind.
“Well the biggest piece of equipment will be a PFD – personal flotation device, and I strongly suggest you wear it, even paddling. Even on calm, inland lakes. You’d be surprised to see how hard it is to get one on when you’re already in the water. Another thing is, file a float plan and stick to the float plan, because if you don’t return, we’ll be searching in the wrong place. They don’t have to be anything too elaborate- just where you’re going to go, what time you should be back, and some type of information for your vessel description. A whistle on a boat is also a good item to have, and the sound travels farther than the human voice.” – Matthew Eberly, Deputy with Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office
If your float plan changes, let the person you told know.
It is also suggested that your boat should have a marine radio, in which you can change to channel 16 and signal MAYDAY.
Children should always be watched closely no matter how shallow the water is.