CLEVELAND, OH-- Officials with the Coast Guard Great Lakes say crews responded to a total of nine search and rescue and seven law enforcement cases throughout the Great Lakes region over the weekend.
Six of the law enforcement cases involved boaters being under the influence of alcohol. The Coast Guard reminds residents that operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. Alcohol is a leading contributing factor for boating fatalities.
Officials say precautions to take before hitting the water include filing a float plan, having lifejackets for every person onboard every watercraft, having functioning communication devices onboard, and having emergency signal equipment such as a locating beacon, signal flares, and a sounding device.
