Macomb Sheriff to Patrol During Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day weekend signifies not only the unofficial start of the summer boating season on Lake St. Clair but also increased patrols by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office Marine Division.

The waterway, which has one of the greatest concentrations of boats in the country, is expected to be busy once the temperatures warm up closer to Memorial Day.

With the higher temperatures, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham anticipates traffic to increase.

He said the deputies and reservists assigned to the Marine Division would patrol the lake to ensure boaters are following the rules of the water and not drinking and boating.

"Lake St. Clair is a great lake and you can have a lot of fun with family friends ... but the lake can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing," Wickersham said. "We want them to respect the water, obey the rules and have a safe boating season."

Among the boating safety tips offered by Wickersham:

• Have a personal flotation device for each person on the vessel.
• Have a working cell phone and marine radio for emergencies.
• Let someone on land know your travel plans.
• Don't drink and boat.

The boating season got off to a tragic start in April when a 37-year-old man from Eastpointe after his boat capsized on Lake St. Clair.