It's finally feeling like summer, and for many of us, that means heading to the lake. But a day on the water can lead to a day of trouble if you're not careful and the coast guard is already seeing problems.
“Someone who owns a boat, for a really long time it may not be the first thought when you bring your boat out for the first time,” said Lauren Steenson, spokesperson for the Coast Guard here in Northeast Ohio.
And when it comes to boating, sometimes things can get carried away.
“People want to be out on the boat and they might have a couple drinks, but what’s important to keep in mind, is that alcohol affects you a little differently when you’re out on the boat because you’re on a moving platform,” Steenson said.
It's why they emphasize people wearing a life jacket at all times.
Michael Savage has been boating for decades, and says things are pretty slow now, but he’s seen people on and offshore take things too far.
“You see a lot where it gets congested…you would think people would have a little more consideration for one another,” he said.
This past Memorial Day weekend, the Coast Guard dealt with five separate incidents and that's not including anything that happened at the Cleveland Metroparks like Edgewater and Euclid Beach.
Another safety tip that goes for whether you’re boating, fishing, or soaking up the sun near the shore, and that’s to be sure to have a float plan, which means letting someone on land know when and where you are and when you’ll return.
