  High Res Photo A solo fisherman trolls Lake Michigan waters near the Bar Lake outlet located four miles south of Onekama, Lake Michigan. The photo was taken on May 6, 2004. The water temperature that day according to NOAA was 33 degrees. Notice the fisherman is not wearing a life jacket and that he is alone and there are no boats in the area. Chick on “high res” directly under the photo to view the ready boat crew at Station Holland, Michigan, demonstrating comfortable, user-friendly life jackets. The inflatable or lightweight mesh life jacket can be worn over coats, or the float coat may be worn separately in place of a coat. Photos: Senior Chief Tom Rau/Boat Smart Cold-water life jacket advisory Advisory 05-12-04, Rash of boating fatalities Since March 22, 2004, I know of seven boating fatalities that have occurred in the State of Michigan. All of the fatalities involved fishermen except one and none of the victims were wearing life jackets. The boats involved ranged in length from 8-24 feet with the average boat being 16-feet in length. The most recent fatality occurred in Lake St. Clair (Detroit). A 46-year-old male fell off the bow of a 24-foot boat while pulling up the anchor. He drowned in 6 feet of water; he was not wearing a life jacket. Cold water is a leading cause of fatalities this time of the year. There are few boats on the water to provide immediate assistance to those in need and by the time rescue responders are summons cold water often quickly takes its toll. The two fishermen who perished in Saginaw Bay on March 22, 2004 were aboard a 18-foot boat; the water temperature was 34 degrees. As of May 12, 2004, water temperatures around Lake Michigan averaged around 45-degrees. Studies have shown that even a strong swimmer has only about a 50/50 chance of reaching shore one-half mile away in 50 degree water. A life jacket will greatly enhance a person’s chances of surviving a cold-water immersion. Boat Smart- wear one. Group
Grand Haven | USCG
Office of Boating Safety
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