Officials from Blue Marsh Lake, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission gathered Friday at Blue Marsh Lake ahead of Memorial Day weekend to promote boating safety and mark the start of National Safe Boating Week.
The press event was held at the Dry Brooks Boat Launch in Leesport, where officials highlighted the importance of life jackets, boating education, and sober operation as the busy summer season approaches.
“As manager of Blue Marsh Lake, I’d just like to remind everybody that safety is our top priority as we move into Memorial Day and the summer season,” said Jeff Piscanio, operations manager at Blue Marsh Lake. “Every year, preventable accidents always occur on the water, and National Safe Boating Week is a reminder that safety saves lives.”
Piscanio said Blue Marsh offers life jacket loaner stations at both boat ramps and at the swim beach, allowing visitors to borrow life jackets whether boating or swimming.
He also reminded visitors that alcohol is prohibited at Blue Marsh Lake.
“Boating, drugs, and alcohol do not mix, especially when you’re operating a boat out on the water,” Piscanio said.
Walter Conway of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary encouraged boaters to take advantage of free vessel safety checks and boating education courses. The Coast Guard Auxiliary planned to conduct courtesy vessel safety checks Friday morning at both boat ramps at Blue Marsh Lake.
“We also would like people to take a safe boating class. It helps tremendously in terms of preventing accidents,” Conway said.
Conway also stressed the importance of filing a float plan by simply informing someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
“If you do those things and you don’t return, then they’ll know to go and look for you,” he said.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Assistant Regional Supervisor Sgt. Travis Miller said officers expect heavy boating traffic at Blue Marsh throughout Memorial Day weekend and into the summer months.
“This lake does get pretty busy over holiday weekends,” Miller said. “Now that the weather’s getting warmer, we can anticipate a lot of boaters are coming out.”
Miller reviewed safety requirements for boaters, including the need for properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every person on board a vessel, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or personal watercraft.
He noted that one of the most common violations officers encounter involves improper life jackets on jet skis and personal watercraft.
“Most people just wear the orange horse collar life jacket,” Miller said. “They’re not aware that you need to be wearing a wearable life jacket that goes around your whole body.”
Miller also reminded boaters that vessels longer than 16 feet must carry a throwable flotation device, and boats with enclosed fuel compartments must have a fire extinguisher. Sound-producing devices such as whistles, horns, or bells are also required.
According to Miller, failing to carry required safety equipment can result in citations and fines through district court. He said officers from the Fish and Boat Commission, alongside the Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard Auxiliary, will continue patrols throughout the summer boating season.
“Life jackets save lives,” Miller said. “Please wear your life jacket.”
