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Boat safety emphasis this weekend

Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Jay Bailey checks the boat of anglers before they launch at West Medical Lake on Saturday. The opening day of the lowland lake fishing season is a good opportunity for the deputies to contact a large number of boaters to be sure their boats are up to snuff. Requirements include: Current registration on board, registration numbers properly shown, boat drivers 35 and under need boater education certificate, life jackets for everyone in the boat and functioning fire extinguisher. (Rich Landers)
Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Jay Bailey checks the boat of anglers before they launch at West Medical Lake on Saturday. The opening day of the lowland lake fishing season is a good opportunity for the deputies to contact a large number of boaters to be sure their boats are up to snuff. Requirements include: Current registration on board, registration numbers properly shown, boat drivers 35 and under need boater education certificate, life jackets for everyone in the boat and functioning fire extinguisher. (Rich Landers)

Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Jay Bailey checks the boat of anglers before they launch at West Medical Lake in 2011. SR file photo.

If you are planning to head out on a local lake this weekend (like Newman Lake or Liberty Lake), you may run into a Spokane County Sheriff's Office boat safety emphasis patrol. According to a Sheriff's Office press release, deputies will have "zero tolerance" for infractions like boathing under the influence, lack of life jackets and failure to have the mandatory boating education card. They will also be looking for wake violations and noise violations.

If we get some sunny weather this weekend I'm sure some boats will be out in the water. Just keep in mind that the water is still really cold. Everyone on a boat must have a life vests and children 12 and younger must wear their life vest unless the boat is docked or anchored. Everyone have fun and stay safe this weekend. 

Nina Culver
Nina Culver is a freelancer for The Spokesman-Review's daily newspaper and weekly Voice sections.

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