SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After the second drowning in Willard Bay in a weekOfficials are reminding Utah residents of some safety tips – and local laws – to help people stay safe on the water.
On Saturday, August 10, Box Elder County officials called in a team from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation to assist in the search for the body of André Leon Debose38, who drowned after jumping into the water to help his son.
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Steve Bullock, Chief of Police of the Utah Department of Outdoor Recreationwas on the search party that found Debose. Bullock spoke to ABC4.com about water safety and was adamant about using life jackets on the water.
“Life jackets only work if you wear them,” Bullock said.
Bullock said the team is often called upon to help recover bodies in similar situations, and he said there are “too many tragedies” where someone jumps into the water to try to save someone else but doesn’t make it.
“Open water swimming is just completely different,” Bullock said. “There are unknown hazards, there are things underwater. . .”
So how can people stay safe on the water? Bullock cited a number of Utah laws to explain.
According to Bullock and the Division of Outdoor Recreation, every motorboat between 16 and 39 feet long must have a throwable life preserver. Boats longer than 40 feet must have at least two throwable life preservers.
“The whole point of having this on your boat is you want to have it easily accessible so that if someone swims out of your boat or somewhere else, you can easily grab it and throw it to them,” Bullock said of the throwable life jackets.
According to the Outdoor Recreation Department, everyone 12 years of age or younger is required to wear a properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a lake or reservoir.
“All life jackets fit and are sized appropriately based on age, weight, activity and usage restrictions stated on the U.S. Coast Guard approval label,” the department said.
Bullock encouraged people to put on a life jacket, especially if they encounter stormy weather.
“It only counts as a life jacket if you’re wearing it,” Bullock said.
What to do in case of a boat accident
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation has also provided Utah residents with some tips on what to do in the event of a boating accident.
If you are involved in an accident, you are urged to remain calm and help others if you are physically able to do so after the accident. You should also exchange contact information with injured persons or owners of damaged property.
“Notify police immediately if someone dies, disappears, requires treatment beyond basic first aid, or if the total property damage exceeds $2,000,” the department said.
Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal. You must render assistance, exchange information, and notify the police before you are allowed to leave.
“Complete and sign the Boat Owner/Operator Accident Report Form and submit it to Utah State Parks within 10 days. Forms are available from a park ranger or at varen.utah.gov“, the division said.
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