Floating safety on Wisconsin's lakes and rivers

Janesville Gazette Editorial

Wisconsin's boating season started Saturday with the game fishing opener. When the annual parade of pleasure boats and personal watercraft heads for our lakes and rivers Memorial Day weekend, the boating season will be in full swing.

Each year, our waters get more congested. Registered boats in Wisconsin number about 636,000, up about 100,000 from a decade earlier.

Last year, 22 people died in Wisconsin boating accidents. That followed a record 24 deaths a year earlier.

So it makes sense to ensure that operators know the law and basic safety. The Legislature did so by passing a bill requiring that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1989, take a boating safety course to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft. The state already required those between ages 12 and 16 to take such a course before operating boats. The new legislation doesn't change that.

Gov. Jim Doyle signed the bill last month. The new law likely will take effect early this summer.

Why include Jet Skis and other personal watercraft in the measure? Two local accidents offer vivid reasons. Lack of control of such machines was blamed in the 2003 death of Brodhead tavern owner Christopher L. Goecks on Lake Koshkonong and the 2001 death of 9-year-old Amanda Backes on Milton's Clear Lake.

"We require education to drive a car to ensure everyone knows the rules of the road," Doyle said. "This bill will do the same for our lakes and rivers."

Erik Samuelsen, co-owner of Rock River Marina in Edgerton, saw the value of such courses when he took one with his 12-year-old son last year. He learned a "tremendous amount," Samuelsen told Gazette reporter Gina Duwe last week.

"I would just highly recommend a boater's safety course, whether they be a seasoned veteran or especially the newcomers," Samuelsen said. "You'll certainly bring something away from it and be safer in the process."

Courses stress the value of always wearing a personal flotation device. That is especially important this time of year, when water remains cold and hypothermia can quickly overcome anyone who takes a spill.

Critics feared the bill could hamper tourism, especially rental businesses. So the Legislature amended the bill and will have the Department of Natural Resources write rules covering state residents and nonresidents who rent boats.

While pinching tourism can be a concern, it shouldn't trump safety. After all, if basic safety knowledge is good enough for boat owners, it should be good enough for all those joining us on our waters.