Memorial Day weekend is upon us and, if the weather cooperates, a lot of boaters will be enjoying recreational activities on the water.
The team at the Port of Green Bay is reminding recreational boaters to play it safe if they encounter commercial ships this holiday weekend.
If you are planning to boat in or around the Port of Green Bay, boaters are asked to steer clear of any large commercial vessels coming into and out of the port.
Dean Haen, the Director for the Port of Green Bay, notes that the large vessels “oftentimes can’t see you, and they can’t maneuver quickly.”
Additionally, the DNR is reminding boaters of the importance of wearing a life jacket. So far, in 2024, there have been two boating fatalities in the state.
In 2023, there were 28 boating fatalities, 27 of which involved a victim not wearing a life jacket. Operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness, and speeding are the four leading causes of tragic watercraft crashes, and the leading cause of death is drowning.
You can learn more about watersport safety on the DNR’s Boat Safety webpage.
