Summer '05 saw smooth sailing on Lake St. Clair

Macomb County mariners finish season with no boating fatalities.

By Mitch Hotts - Macomb Daily Staff Writer - 9/6/05

Whether it's a statistical fluke or a sign that boaters have become more safety conscious, there were no fatalities reported in Macomb County's portion of Lake St. Clair during the summer.

Although there is still plenty of warm weather for boaters to enjoy navigating the lake, safety experts were pleased to learn on Labor Day - summer's traditional finale - that Macomb County had no boating-related fatalities in 2005.

The death-free record comes after four fatalities on the lake the year before.
"I think we had a pretty good season, even though we had some awful close calls," said Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel, who supervises the marine division that patrols the lake.

Experts say an increase in boater safety classes, more police on the water and increased public awareness of boating laws likely played a role in the zero-fatality season.

"I think you have to factor in a little luck as well," Hackel said.
About 75 percent of all boating accidents in Michigan occur in June, July and August, when the boating seasons kicks into high gear, according to the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents. More than half occur on weekends.

Probably the worst boating accident in Macomb this summer involved a Ford dealership owner and two Ford Motor Co. executives who were injured in August when the performance craft they were riding in crashed into the shore at Metro Beach, went airborne and narrowly missed two trees. One of the men suffered critical injuries.

The last boating-related drowning in Macomb's portion of the lake took place in September 2004 when a 28-year-old casino waitress died while swimming late at night with friends near an anchored boat. She had been drinking.

Macomb County had two fatalities in 2003 and three in 2002.
Overall, the number of boating deaths in the Great Lakes State has been on a decline. There were 170 reported boating accidents in Michigan in 2004, a 25 percent drop from the year before, according to the insurance agents association summary. There were 26 deaths statewide in 2004, down from 29 in 2003.

Lt. Brian Barlog, commander of the sheriff 's marine division, credits boat operators, better law enforcement and more "common sense" for the safe season in 2005.

"Everyone we talk to out on the water is just more aware of the consequences of risky boating and driving while intoxicated," Barlog said. "And we also are seeing more people taking safety classes. Last year, our division had 9,000 junior high school students exposed to the classes."

Tim Fluary, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, agreed. He teaches boating skills courses in the winter that range between six and 90 students at a time.
"I think people simply are paying more attention to what's going on around them when they're on the lake," Fluary said. "There also seems to be less people drinking, and they seem to be more educated on how to navigate their boats."

Intoxicated mariners can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Regardless of the classes, boaters need to incorporate the techniques they learn into real life situations. A critical aspect is the simple task of using life jackets. Of the 26 people who died in boating accidents last year in Michigan, only eight were wearing life jackets.

"There still needs to be more education even though we're seeing an increase in people taking safety classes," said Ed Ross, an instructor for the Anchor Bay Power Squadron.

Information on safe boating practices can be found at the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety Web site at www.uscgboating.org.

 

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