Safety not found in some boats

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Conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources want to see more folks taking the necessary precautions the rest of the summer to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.

“I regularly see three problems,” Milaca-based DNR Conservation Officer David Schottenbauer said. “Folks take the boat out and forget the life jackets. Or they are unaware they need a throwable personal flotation device (PFD), like a boater’s cushion, for boats 16 feet and longer. Also, boaters incorrectly assume that a boat cushion counts as a primary flotation device.”

Regardless of length, all boats (except sailboards), including canoes, kayaks and duck boats, must have a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD for each person on board.

Also, any boat 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must have an onboard Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable flotation device.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, boating