The Alaska State Troopers encourage anyone this summer who is recreating on or near the water to wear personal flotation devices. Troopers took action to enforce this message over the weekend, as several citations were issued due to boaters not carrying sufficient personal flotation devices on-board.
On Saturday at 2:45 p.m., Troopers patrolling the Kenai River Personal Dipnet Fishery contacted a 23 year-old from Anchorage in a motorized boat. Investigation revealed there were four individuals in the boat and only two personal flotation devices.
Also in the Kenai, at 3:00 p.m., a 53 year-old man of Utqiagvik was operating a motorized boat with eight individuals on-board, but there were only five life jackets on the boat. This included individuals under the age of 13 without a life jacket.
At 3:58 p.m., Troopers contacted a 43-year old man from Anchorage who had a six-year-old in his motorized boat without a personal flotation device on.
Also on Saturday afternoon, a 27 year-old from Anchorage had four individuals in his motorized boat but only two flotation devices.
The Alaska Office of Boating Safety reports that five out of six Alaska boating fatalities are a cold water immersion-related drowning, following their vessel suddenly capsizing or by falling overboard. The Office encourages Alaskans to sign a Pledge to Live by visiting PledgeToLive.org, which allows folks to promise their friends and families that they will wear personal flotation devices while on open water.
