(KNSI) – Memorial Weekend is a time when boats start hitting the water, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource wants boaters to be safe on the water.
DNR Conservation Office Lt. Mike Martin was on with KNSI Bob Hughes and said the water is in the mid-60s, and that’s pretty cold.
“Now, is it too cold to swim? I would say probably not. And especially the kids, I’ve seen quite a few kids out swimming already. And let’s be honest, they’re a little bit more tolerant than we are, but if you’re in a catastrophic incident, the shock and the water is really going to start sucking the life out of you pretty quickly. So, we need to make sure that we’re wearing our life jackets.”
He says kids under the age of 10 are required to wear their life jackets anytime they’re on the boat and recommend that adults wear their life jackets to set an example for those kids.
Martin says, make sure your boat and trailer are ready for the water.
“I’ve noticed a lot of trailers broken down by the side of the road. So, just go out there and inspect your equipment a little bit. If you haven’t checked your hubs this year. If you haven’t checked them in a couple of years, it’s always good to check those bearings absolutely get plenty of grease in there.”
He reminds everyone legal limit for drinking and boating is the same as drinking and driving .08.
Martin says all conservation officers must work this weekend, so expect to see plenty of officers on the water.
For more boating and safety tips, click here.
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