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Memorial Day weekend might not be the busiest time out on the water, however, it is one of the first opportunities to get the boat out for the summer. This past week the United States Coast Guard has celebrated National Safe Boating Week, ahead of the major holiday weekend, to share watercraft preparation, and emergency preparedness tips with the region’s boat captains. Whether a watercraft is small enough for a single passenger or can carry the whole family state law requires that everyone on a vessel wear a life vest at all times.
We recommend that you contact the station either by coming by or by phone. And then we can give you the specifics for your vessel. But in general, any vessels under power need navigation lights at night. They would need a sound-producing device, whether that be a whistle or a horn. The requirements change based on size. You also need a life jacket for everybody on board. There are various kinds of life jackets. There are special life jackets that are considered special purpose or type five. If you as a mariner choose to wear that life jacket, you are, or you choose to use that to meet the requirement. It does have to be worn, which is not common knowledge. We find a lot of mariners out on the water have them on board, but they’re not wearing them. So it doesn’t meet the requirement. But if you have a type one, two, or three life jacket, just having it on board is enough. If your vessel is greater than 16 feet, you also have to have a type four throwable device on board. And lots of boats that look like a seat cushion or a ring buoy that can be thrown off should somebody fall off the boat while you’re transiting.– Maria Collet, Officer-in-Charge, United States Coast Guard – Portage
Portage Commander Maria Colbert adds that having the right emergency equipment can also make a major difference. However, another very important part of any fun trip on the water asks boaters to leave a trip plan at home with a trusted friend or family member. Because of the size of Lake Superior, and the several bays, estuaries, and rivers, the Coast Guard wants people to include as many details as possible in a trip plan.
Unfortunately, lots of times the reports that are provided to the people back on land are not sufficient enough for us to do a thorough search and it takes a long time for us to find them. So a good plan looks like I’m going fishing. I’m leaving this Marina. I will be fishing in, you know, areas A, B and C. I plan to return to shore at the same Marina at this time. Um, and then a good cell phone number. – Maria Collet, Officer-in-Charge, United States Coast Guard – Portage
During Safe Boating Week reinspect equipment and life vests while tinkering with the boat engine and prop. Those interested to hear more about boat safety out on Lake Superior or inland lakes and rivers can find out more this Sunday with Copper Country Today host Todd Van Dyke. Copper Country Today with the United States Coast Guard for National Boater Safety Week will premiere on air at 7 am on 97.7 the Wolf, at 8am on 99.3 the Lift, and at 9am on 102.3 K-Bear. If you miss the radio broadcast go to Keweenaw Report.com to find a whole archive of Copper Country Today episodes here. Learn more about National Boating Safety Week here.
