Officials urge boaters to operate
with caution, awareness of other watercraft this Labor Day weekend
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[September 03, 2022]
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the
U.S. Coast Guard are urging people to operate their boats, jet skis
and other watercraft safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of
summer this Labor Day weekend.
“Crowded waterways are no place to throw caution to the wind,” said
Lt. Curt Lewis with the Illinois Conservation Police. “We want
everyone to enjoy the long holiday weekend with family and friends.
We also want them all to make it home safely with nothing but fun
memories.”
Authorities will be patrolling Illinois rivers, lakes and Lake
Michigan throughout the Labor Day weekend looking for safety
violations and reckless operators following several recent tragic
situations in the “Playpen” waters of Lake Michigan.
On Aug. 13, two women were critically injured when
they were pulled into the prop-wash of a 37-foot charter boat that
backed into them while they were floating on a raft in the Chicago
“Playpen” area in Lake Michigan. One of the women lost both of her
feet in the accident. The case remains under investigation. In
addition, several other people have drowned or were badly injured
this summer while operating boats in the “Playpen” and Lake
Michigan.
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In June, a man operating a jet ski on the Fox River was injured when
a boat ran into him and threw him off the ski. He was wearing a life
jacket and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The boat fled the
scene.
In late May, a 40-foot boat at the Spring Brook Marina along the
Illinois River in Seneca exploded after completing fueling. A total
of 18 passengers and one marina employee were on board at the time;
15 people required medical treatment. A 45-year-old Yorkville man
was badly burned in the explosion and later died.
On April 10, four people went kayaking in the backwater lake at
Matanzas Beach near Havana in Mason County and attempted to cross
the water during a period of high wind and wave activity. About
halfway across, one of them fell out of his kayak when it
overturned. He was later pronounced dead.
“These incidents are heartbreaking. It’s why we work so hard to
remind people about the importance of fully understanding their
watercraft, following all safety rules, and realizing the potential
dangers they could face on the water,” Lewis said. “Things can
change in the blink of an eye – from shifts in currents and weather
patterns to mechanical difficulties and encountering reckless
operators.”
The U.S. Coast Guard is urging people to fully understand the rules
and responsibilities for chartering boats. If passengers are paying
to be aboard a boat, the vessel should be operating under one of the
three options listed below:
As a certificated vessel under Coast Guard inspection – A
vessel that chooses this option is subject to annual Coast Guard
inspection and will have a Certificate of Inspection sticker
displayed aboard the boat.
As an uninspected passenger vessel – These vessels may carry
up to six passengers including at least one “passenger for hire”
with a crew or captain provided. In this option the vessel is not
chartered under a written agreement.
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As a bareboat charter (or renting someone else’s
boat) – In this type of agreement, the boat is rented out. If
the owner wishes to provide crew, no more than six passengers may be
on the boat. If the owner wishes to provide the vessel without any
crew, no more than 12 passengers are allowed. Most importantly, this
type of rental must be accompanied by a written and valid rental
charter agreement featuring valid definitions of passengers.
“If an owner is willing to use their vessel for transportation or
rental illegally, that should already be a signal that other safety
and legal violations may be present. Don’t put yourself at risk,”
said Cdr. Timothy Tilghman,
Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit
Chicago. “We are urging passengers this weekend to know what type of
charter they are riding, or renting, and report to the Coast Guard
if they see any illegal activity on the waterway.”
In addition, IDNR is reminding people to exercise caution when using
kayaks and canoes on Illinois waterways.
Paddle in a group if possible, and be extra cautious if paddling in
water colder than 75 degrees.
In areas with motorboat traffic, paddle closer to the shore and
approach waves head-on or at a slight angle to avoid capsizing.
If you do capsize or fall out, keep your feet pointed downstream and
avoid touching the bottom to avoid getting snagged or stuck. Stay
upstream of the boat to avoid getting pinned between it and an
obstruction.
Always scan ahead for hazards such as low-hanging tree limbs, low
bridges, rocks or rapids.
Don’t feel pressured to tackle a section of water that appears too
challenging. It’s OK to portage around it.
Finally, officials stress that drinking and boating do not mix, and
that life jackets save lives. Tips for all boaters include:
Never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Take a boating safety course. Find more information at https://bit.ly/IDNRboating.
Confirm all essential equipment is working and in good condition.
Always tell a friend or loved one about your trip itinerary,
including operator and passenger information, boat type and
registration, and communication equipment on board.
Wear a life jacket or personal flotation device.
Keep an eye on the weather.
Use an engine cut-off switch for stopping a boat engine should the
operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and always travel at
safe, legal speeds.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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