How to stay safe on the lake

PLATTSBURGH | Choppy water, waves that can reach up to six feet, and unknown circumstances are all conditions the Clinton County Sheriff's Department Marine Patrol can face while out on Lake Champlain. Notorious for its choppy water, Lake Champlain is 435 square miles of surface water according to the Lake Champlain Land Trust. 120 miles long and 12 miles at its widest point, Lake Champlain provides lots of space for water recreation and the Sheriff's Department to patrol. To help with the widespread coverage area, the marine patrol splits into three areas, the northern, central, and southern to assure a fast response time for anywhere within their coverage area. "We patrol the international waterway of Lake Champlain. It borders Vermont obviously and Canada, so we patrol the length of that on the Clinton County side. We also will respond to Essex County areas to assist with emergencies if needed or requested. We will respond to Colchester if they request it or need it, and we will respond with pretty much anywhere that we're requested by State Police on either side for emergencies or missing persons," Clinton County Sheriff's Department Patrol Major Nicholas J. Leon explained. The Sheriff's Department Marine Patrol has been around since the mid to late 70s and is made up of members of the patrol unit and a boat patrol assistant. "Which are unarmed civilians that assist us out on the water, and the two-man unit goes on patrol," explained Leon on what a boat patrol assistant does. To become a member of the marine patrol, officers are sent to a two-week training course in Lake George hosted by the Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation. In this course, officers learn the basics of navigation law as well as having an opportunity to conduct vessel boardings. "The patrol division enforces all the state and local laws. We also assist in the enforcement of federal laws and maritime safety laws. We go out, we respond to 911 calls, we handle civil complaints, we handle eviction processes, we do regular road patrol, enforce vehicle and traffic law," Leon said on what patrol does. The marine patrol responds to anything from a good samaritan calling in what they believe to be a boater in distress to emergency medical situations. "The marine patrol is supposed to handle the smaller lakes in the county to provide law enforcement response to ensure that boating is happening and done so safely. It also allows for emergency response for kayakers in distress, wind sailors, you know the smaller craft you often get reports of being flipped over in the lake. Unfortunately, the other times that we hear about boat accidents and we respond. On Lake Champlain, we respond jointly with Coast Gaurd but because of the nature and the length of the lake we oftentimes are closer than they are," stated Leon. While the marine patrol is there to help any boater that may need it, they're also there to make sure the laws of the water are obeyed. One of the most common reasons to get pulled over by the Sheriff's marine patrol is bow-riding. Currently, due to the border situation, traffic levels on Lake Champlain have been low as many of the Canadians who frequent the U.S. side of Lake Champlain are unable to cross the border. "Boating can be an incredibly fun and enjoyable adventure but it can also turn very dangerous and deadly quickly. So being prepared to self-rescue is important and having the appropriate flotation devices and warning devices could very well save your life," reminds Leon. The Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation lists on their website several options for courses to take to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate. Due to a new law known as Brianna's law by Jan. 1, 2025, all motorboat operators will be required to have a Boating Safety Certificate. Leon recommends for all boaters to inform someone of where they're going if heading out onto the water at odd times, and when they expect to be back. This way if the boater is overdue, the marine patrol has a better idea of where to start their search. The marine patrol is on active patrol from the end of June to the beginning of September and is available for emergency response 24 hours a day when there is no ice in the water.

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How to stay safe on the lake

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