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Lake Patrol lists vessel checks: fuel, extinguisher, inspections and awareness
Summary
Lake Patrol urged boaters to check fuel levels, carry a fire extinguisher, perform vessel safety inspections before leaving the dock and keep a lookout for hazards; the agency framed these as common steps to reduce on-water emergencies.
David Ferguson of the Cornelius Police Department's Lake Patrol Division advised boaters to “have your head on a swivel” because vessels can approach from many directions and because hazards such as shoals and changing water depth present risks. He recommended pre-departure vessel safety inspections, checking fuel, carrying a fire extinguisher and being aware of water depth.
Ferguson said the department runs vessel safety events and demonstrations to teach these checks and to encourage people to learn their vessels’ limits. “The best advice that I could give a boater or someone going out on the water is have your head on a swivel,” he said, adding that preparedness extends to knowing when to return before storms hit.
