Stay safe on the water this Memorial Day GRDA offers advice

Environmentally friendly Nation — Heading to the lakes or rivers for Memorial Working day? GRDA law enforcement are sharing information on how to keep secure in the water for the future holiday getaway weekend and summer months months.

Officials say no subject where you go — Grand Lake or even the Illinois River — it is essential to remain safe and sound, smart, and sober when boating or floating.

They shared some dos and don’ts ahead of obtaining in the h2o:

• Do wear a life jacket. GRDA encourages all ages to always use a life jacket at lakes and rivers, specifically kids 13-several years-outdated and beneath.
• Do shut engines off when persons are in the h2o around your boat.
• Do notice the nautical “rules of the street.”
• Do test the climate forecast ahead of getting underway.
• Will not overload the boat.
• Really don’t swim or boat on your own. Stay in sight of buddies.
• Really don’t drink and boat.
• Really don’t dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, stream banking institutions and trees.

For people preparing on hitting the drinking water on a personalized watercraft these kinds of as a Sea-Doo, they say:

• Don’t experience fatigued.
• Observe the bodyweight. Never carry much more passengers or excess weight than is encouraged in the operator handbook.
• Enjoy out for other people.
• Know the locale on the drinking water. Enjoy out for hazards this sort of as rocks, buoys, sandbars, and skiers.
• Under no circumstances drink and ride.
• Enjoy the pace. Numerous water incidents are a consequence of abnormal pace.

If you need assistance on the water, you are encouraged to simply call 911 or radio the GRDA police on Maritime Band 16.

For a lot more information about the GRDA Police Section or how an officer can help local community users, get in touch with the department at 918-256-0911.

Trending Stories:

Keep in contact with us whenever, wherever —