Marine patrol cracking down
ANTRIM CO. -- Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer boating season, and that means an increase in marine patrols working to make sure no one gets hurt.
Boater Toby Schmidt says, "People are very friendly on the water out there. We are all having a party and lots of fun. It's beautiful."
Kick off to the summer is starting with a splash. Boats packed the sandbar on Torch Lake, a Northern Michigan hot spot when the weather turns warm. To make sure that summer fun doesn't turn deadly, the Antrim County Sheriff's Office has been patrolling the waters all weekend.
Marine Officer, Tim Tilley says, "What you got to remember is boats don't have breaks, they're not like a car."
One thing marine officers say they're always looking for is drunk driving. Even though it is legal to drive a boat while you are drinking alcohol, if you blow over a .10, you could go to jail.
Tilley also says life jackets, a fire extinguisher and a boat safety card if you are under 31-years-old is a must have onboard.
