STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Memorial Day weekend is approaching and many people will head to the water in Northeast Wisconsin.
The U.S. Coast Guard has a few safety reminders for the summer; Requirements on board include a fire extinguisher for boats with engines and having type 3 lifejackets.
“Make sure it states that it’s Coast Guard approved – which it will say inside the label,” said T.J. Barnes with the U.S. Coast Guard in Sturgeon Bay. “If we’re out doing safety inspections, everyone on your vessel needs to have a life jacket readily available.”
Boats with an engine also need to have a fire extinguisher.
Holiday weekends like Memorial Day are exceptionally busy for the Coast Guard.
“On a busy weekend we get around 20 search and rescue calls,” said Barnes. “They range from ‘we’re out of gas and we need help because we’re drifting towards the rocks,’ or ‘we jsut collided with another vessel and there’s people in the water.'”
Barnes recommends letting somebody on land know ahead of time where you’re going, and when you’ll be back.
Additionally, National Safe Boating Week is May 20-26, the official launch of the 2023 Safe Boating Campaign.
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