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Coast Guard urges boaters to be safe Memorial Day weekend

Dressing for the water temperature and sticking to familiar areas are some of the tips they offer.
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
View from a sailboat, tilted by the wind

Memorial Day is a big weekend for boaters, and the Coast Guard is warning you to use caution of you plan to be out on the water.

The Coast Guard offers these tips to boaters for not only the holiday weekend, but every time they are out on the water:

  • Stay vigilant
  • Stick to areas you are familiar with
  • Check weather forecasts
  • Have proper and functioning safety gear aboard
  • File a float plan with someone onshore
  • All passengers on board should wear a properly-fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on the water

In addition to the thunderstorms our meteorologists are tracking for Saturday and Sunday, the Coast Guard says the water temperature for Lake Erie this weekend ranges from 49 to 54 degrees from Toledo to Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Coast Guard advises that boaters should dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. 

Even though the weekend air temperature will be warm, the Coast Guard says water under 77° is considered cold water and poses a significant risk for hypothermia and death is submerged.

The Coast Guard says they "encourage boaters and adventurers to enjoy what Lake Erie has to offer in a safe, responsible manner."

Using these safety tips increases your likelihood of making it home safe.

Before You Leave, Check This Out