DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KFGO-KVRR) Officials in Becker County say there are safety concerns on lakes in the area.
Becker County Deputy Nicholas Daniel says many of the safety concerns involve jet skis.
“We’ve had a lot of issues with personal watercraft operation that is unsafe. Jetskis that are operating too close to shore or in a reckless manner… By state law a personal watercraft has to be below a slow wake speed if they’re within 150 feet a shore, a dock, any anchored structure, or when crossing a wake of another boat,” Daniel said.
Law enforcement say another concern is they’re seeing people not wearing or not having a life jacket while on the water.
“A life jacket with you is great, that’s all that is required by the law, but sometimes it does no good if it’s stashed away in a compartment. So, we encourage everybody that’s on the water to wear their life jacket while boats underway. Just keeps them safer and hopefully prevents other tragic accidents from happening,” said MNDNR Conservation Officer Bill Landmark.
Four people have died in boating-related incidents this summer. None were wearing a life jacket.
Daniel says another key to safety is boaters understanding the law.
“We want everybody to make sure they review the watercraft laws, and they understand how, when, where, and where they should operate their watercraft. Especially with personal watercraft, making sure they have that adequate distance from shore as well as having their life jacket on and making sure they’re operating during the correct hours,” said Daniel.
Despite all this, Landmark says the vast majority of people on the water are operating safely and legally.
“Generally speaking, I mean we really have really good people in Minnesota that are really knowledgeable about boat operation. You know, we deal with a small percentage of people that may need some reminders on laws and stuff,” said Landmark.
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