The News Room [News Release]

Sheriff Contact: John Roach: 313-213-5162
Release Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Sheriff's marine unit deputies prepare to keep summer safe on local waterways

This weekend marks the beginning of boating season in metro Detroit, and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Marine Division has been preparing to make sure the season is a safe one. Sheriff Warren C. Evans has ordered an increased crackdown on people who operate recreational watercrafts under the influence of alcohol. It is estimated that half of all boating accidents are alcohol related.

"We want people to have fun this boating season, but above all, we want them to do it safely," said Evans. "I have instructed our marine officers to be extra vigilant in enforcing alcohol laws on the water."

Under state law, boaters are allowed to drink alcohol, as long their blood alcohol limit does not exceed 0.10 percent. The legal limit in Michigan for boaters did not go down to .08 in October 2004 as it did for motorists.

"The limits may be different, but the penalties are the same," Evans said.

The penalty for a first offense of Operating While Intoxicted is a maximum $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. A second offense could bring a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail or significant community service. A person caught for the third time could face felony charges and possible prison time, Evans said.

The Sheriff's Office has six patrol boats in its marine division, and deputies will spend much of their time focusing on the county's primary waterway – the Detroit River – including areas of Lake St. Clair at the north end and Lake Erie at the south.

The Marine Division is staffed with six officers, specially trained in marine law enforcement and search and rescue. The unit performs law enforcement duties as well as search and rescue operations, boat livery inspections, boat accident investigations, alcohol enforcement and regatta patrols. Marine officers make about 6,000 stops per year in order to check boat safety.

Air is warm, but water is cold

Something else that boaters need to keep in mind as they take to lakes and rivers is the fact that water temperature is still dangerously cold.

Even thought the air temperature is starting to get up into the 80's, today's water temperature is still only 54 degrees. At that temperature, hypothermia can set in very quickly and the risk of drowning increases. Evans said that boaters need to be extremely cautious to avoid falling in the water and to always wear a personal floatation device.

Sheriff offers boater safety classes

There are more than 280,000 registered boats in Wayne County. Evans said each of them represents a potential accident or tragedy if the operators aren't cautious. Each year sheriff's deputies provide basic boater safety classes to more than 2,500 residents and classes are still being held. Class information is available online at www.waynecounty.com/sheriff

Additional Safety Tips:

• Though it is not illegal, all occupants of a watercraft should refrain from consuming alcohol while boating
  
  
• Have enough life jackets for everyone on board and wear them at all times
  
  
• Make sure life jackets fit properly
  
  
• Know your boat's capacity
  
  
• Boats should also be equipped with an adequate fire extinguisher, horn or whistle, lights or signal flares and a floatation device with a line attached

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