Warm temps + cold water could equal extra danger for the start of boating season
SEATTLE -- Boating season is just a few days away. This year, the opening day of the season looks to be the warmest in a decade for the Emerald City. That means those who patrol the waters will likely have their hands full keeping everyone safe on the water.
"It's a warm-up for us for the Fourth of July," says Sgt. Kevin Haistings with the Seattle Harbor Patrol. "And Fourth of July is a warm-up for four days of Seafair."
This year's boating season is the 20th for Haistings on the boat patrol.
"If we had a wish for the upcoming summer season it would be a nice warm summer, not a lot of wind, no accidents, no drownings."
The Emerald City native has been on these waters since he was 5 years old. He knows the dangers of our rivers and lakes all too well -- like unseen underwater hazards often found on our area rivers called 'snags' that can pin swimmers and damage boats.
"You floated the river 50 times last year, that tree wasn’t down then, you can’t control it. And you get trapped."
Overloaded boats and missing (or not functioning) safety equipment are rookie mistakes for the first weekend of boating season on Saturday. Those are things Haistings and those on 11 other Seattle Harbor Patrols will be looking out for this weekend.
"Our goal is everyone have an enjoyable weekend and go home," says Haistings.
The Seattle Harbor Patrol monitors more than 250 miles of shoreline and is one of the only 24/7 year-round marine operations in the state. It's the second oldest agency in the city, around since the 1800s. And one fact has remained true over the decades: most drownings are nearly all preventable deaths.
Some things to consider for this weekend and the summer ahead: life jackets on kids anywhere near water is just a good common sense idea. And on certain sized boats, it's the law. The legal blood alcohol content is 0.08% for the water, just like on the roads. But, the biggest concern right now is the water itself.
"Your bigger issue here is cold water shock," says Haistings.
Water temperatures a few feet below the surface can be in the upper 40s. And many of our rivers flowing fast but are also made up of freshly melted snow. Haistings says if you fall in the water, you've got about 1-2 minutes to catch your breath from the temperature shock before you pass out.
And with the cold water temps, you've got about 10-15 minutes to self-rescue before your limbs go partially to totally numb. Even with air temperatures near 80, the water will still be near 50 for most of our area waterways. So, officials say be smart and stay safe.