FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (WSIL) -- More boaters are expected to start heading out as we move closer towards Memorial Day weekend and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to ensure they are properly geared up for staying safe on the open water.
Conservation police are stepping up enforcement patrols throughout the region as the busy boating season gets underway.
Conservation police officer Bryan Tapley says it is not about writing tickets, it is about keep boaters safe.
"We're going to be patrolling the waters for safety," says Tapley. "That's the main reason that we're out here."
Officers will increase safety stops through National Safe Boating Week, which kicks off Saturday, checking for proper equipment, items Officer Keyle Williams says could save a life.
"The life jacket, fire extinguisher, safety lanyard," says Williams, listing off required items.
Top boating safety reminders:
• Wear a life jacket.
National Safe Boating week is May 22-28
• Motor boat operators should make sure all the required equipment is aboard, including a properly charged fire extinguisher, working horn and whistle, working navigation lights, and flares.
• A new federal law requires engine cut-off switches (ECOS)
• Stay sober.
The IDNR investigated more than 80 boating accidents a year ago, more than 20 of those resulted in fatalities.
Officer Tapley says lack of personal flotation devices played a role. "Somewhere in the upper 80 percent of the people that drowned, were not wearing life jackets," says Tapley, adding that boaters returning to the water after a winter away are not always prepared.
"So we usually find more violations earlier in the year than oppose to later in the year when people have been stopped and either have received a warning or citations," says Tapley.
While a life jacket is among the top gear required for safe boating, operators must also follow the laws regarding careless or reckless operation, these include: overloading a boat, observing restricted areas and no-wake zones, and adhering to other navigation rules, according to the IDNR.
"We want to have life jackets, make sure that everybody has them--has them accessible, and of course that the kids are wearing them and we also want to make sure that we don't have impaired operators on the water," says Tapley. "We're out here just to make sure everybody is safe, having a good time, and if people partake in alcohol too much, then we'll obviously be here to enforce that aspect of it also."
A new Federal Law requires engine cut-off switches for boaters. Those are attached to you by a cord or a lanyard. They keep the motor from running if you fall out.
The Link LonkMay 20, 2021 at 10:44AM
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Patrols to increase at area lakes heading into holiday weekend - WSIL TV
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