The Fourth of July is one of the busiest weeks of the year on Minnesota waters and the same is true on the lakes in Polk County according to Sheriff Jim Tadman. Tadman said extra boat and water patrols will be on the water to help keep people safe. “It is the busiest time of the year for our sheriff’s office and especially the lakes areas,” said Tadman. “This Fourth of July does land on a Saturday, so I think we’re going to have more people in the lakes areas and doing more boating, especially if its nice weather. We’re planning on putting on extra shifts for our boat and water to make sure our area lakes are safe. The deputies will be out and about, so if you see them wave hi because they’re out there to keep everybody safe. We want everybody to be safe.”
Tadman said one of the biggest safety precautions that can be taken is wearing a lifejacket, which is required for youth. “I think the biggest thing is to make sure you wear your lifejacket,” said Tadman. “That’s the biggest thing if you have an accident people fall over, all it takes is people to gasp from hitting the water. They take in some water and trouble starts from there. Big thing is to make sure you wear lifejackets. Adults aren’t mandated to wear them all the time, but make sure you have one for everybody in the boat.”
Tadman added that responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages or a sober driver is also important. “Another big thing is consuming alcohol while in a boat or driving a boat is not illegal,” said Tadman. “But drunk boating is the same as drunk driving, consequences are the same. So, if you’re having a couple of alcoholic beverages out there find a sober driver and enjoy your time out in the sun.”
Additionally, people sitting on the gunnels will also get boats stopped because of the dangers if someone were to fall off, and the likelihood of getting caught under the boat or in the motor. Tadman says the boat and water program has helped keep boating accidents to a minimum. “Our boat and water program has been working hard,” said Tadman. “Our Sergeant, Scott Bixby, does all the paperwork and gets all the schedules signed up and makes sure the boats are ready to go. Through the last six seasons, we’ve had one minor reported incident on all the waters in Polk County. During these seasons, they’ve increased the patrolling and officers on the lakes areas.”
Deputies on the water are also out to educate boaters about unsafe behavior according to Tadman. “Also, education is a big thing we want to get out there,” said Tadman. “Any questions on boating and not everything is a ticket or warning, but to advise people they might be going down the wrong road. As the temperatures come up, sometimes people don’t use their heads. It’s busy out on the lakes and you have to be observant. We hand out every year the comic coloring books for the kids that’s education about boating. We also have the boating programs which indicate all the laws and guides. We keep them on the boat, so if you see the deputy out there and aren’t sure of law or what to do ask them for a guidebook. We give them out every year and if you need one, we’ll send them out to you.”
Tadman also wished everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. “We want everybody to have a Happy Fourth and enjoy their time,” said Tadman. “And be safe out there.”
Safety tips for on the water:
- Leave the alcoholic beverages on the shore. Drunk boating is the same as drunk driving.
- Wear a life jacket. It’s the best way to stay safe on the water.
- Own your wake. Shared resources require shared responsibility. Be aware of the wake your boat creates and the impact it has on shoreline erosion as well as hazards created by large wakes to swimmers, paddlers, and others who are boating.
- Enjoy the view and put away the phone. Just as distracted driving is a concern on our roads, distracted boating can lead to accidents and fatalities on our waters.
