Officials urge water safety as holiday weekend marks start of boating season
(KRON) — Officials are urging water safety as the Memorial Day weekend arrives, marking the traditional start of the boating season. The Contra Costa County Sheriff is urging boaters to stay safe while enjoying the water this weekend.
Large crowds are expected throughout the holiday weekend and all through the summer months for boating, fishing, and water sports. Safety, according to the sheriff, 'remains a top priority.'
'Please always be safe, smart, and alert while on the Delta,' advised Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. 'Many boating accidents could be avoided by planning ahead.'
The U.S. Coast Guard, according to the sheriff, says that '80% of boating fatalities could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket.'
Marjorie Taylor Greene slams Elon Musk's Grok AI as 'left leaning'
As the busy boating season gets underway, the CoCo County Sheriff's Marine Unit wants to remind people of the following:
California Boater Card required for anyone who operates a motorized vessel
A new boating law effective this July requires the use of an engine cut-off switch, or kill switch on vessels under 26 feet
Life jackets save lives: All vessels, including standup paddleboard, must carry Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all on board
Boating under the influence: Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and dangerous
Safe navigation practices: Always operate at safe speeds, especially in narrow channels
Water sky flag: When towing a water skier or wakeboarder, operators must display a red or orange ski flag
Blue light law: Boaters must slow to no-wake speed when approaching or being approached by law enforcement or emergency vessels
Emergency preparedness: Carry an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, warm clothes, a cell phone, VHF radio, and navigational charts
Carbon monoxide awareness: Be caution of carbon monoxide buildup
Children ages 12-15 may operate boats with motors over 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet only if directly supervised by an adult
Throwables required: Boats 16 feet and longer must carry a Coat Guard approved throwable flotation device
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Husband succumbs to injuries after Memorial Day crash that claimed wife's life, police said
PORT ST. LUCIE − A second person has died following a May 26 – Memorial Day − crash involving two vehicles in western Port St. Lucie, according to Port St. Lucie Police. A preliminary investigation found a 2011 BMW convertible driven by John Latowski, 74, of Port St. Lucie, traveled south on Northwest Glades Cut Off Road while a 2023 Kia driven by Cierra Lloyd, 24, of Fort Pierce, traveled west on Northwest Commerce Center Drive. Police about 1:30 p.m. May 26 went to the scene. 'At this time, it appears that the Kia failed to yield the right of way to the BMW, which caused a crash,' police stated. Latowski and his wife, Joan Latowski, 72, who was a passenger in the BMW, were taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. Joan Latowski died at the hospital, while her husband succumbed to his injuries May 31 at the hospital, according to Port St. Lucie Police. The Latowskis both wore their seatbelts, said Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson. Rabies alert in Port St. Lucie: Rabies advisory in part of St. Lucie County after raccoon killed June 1 Arrests after homicide: Arrests made after 2024 fatal shooting in Fort Pierce The Kia driver and three passengers also were taken to Lawnwood hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police reported the cause of the crash is under investigation. Those who may have seen the crash or have video are asked to contact Officer Brian Thompson at 772-871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crimestoppers at 800-273-8477. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Second person dies days after deadly Memorial Day Port St. Lucie crash
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bank robbed in Port St. Lucie, accused robber 'possibly armed'
PORT ST. LUCIE − Port St. Lucie Police on June 6 are investigating a robbery at a PNC Bank on Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, the agency stated. Police about 1:40 p.m. June 6 went to the incident at the bank in the 1300 block of Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, which is at Southwest Savona Boulevard, said Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson. The alleged robber is described as a woman in a maroon and white shirt and multi-colored ball cap with sunglasses and a white purse. 'The suspect is possibly armed and was last seen walking from the bank on foot,' police stated. Fatal crash: Husband succumbs to injuries after Memorial Day crash that claimed wife's life, police said Rabies alert in Port St. Lucie: Rabies advisory in part of St. Lucie County after raccoon killed June 1 Mesiti said he could not disclose some aspects of the case. Those with information are asked to call police at 772-871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Police say woman accused of robbing bank in Port St. Lucie
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Georgia Couple Arrested for Allegedly Leaving 3-Year-Old Child Alone in Shed 'Without Running Water or Electricity': Reports
A three-year-old boy, Bjorn Turner, was allegedly left unsupervised in a filthy shed without running water or electricity for weeks On June 2, Sarah Pombert, 34, and Joseph Turner, 35, were arrested on charges of child cruelty, per Fox 5 Atlanta They are currently being held in Douglas County Jail, facing felony charges for allegedly causing "cruel or excessive mental or physical pain"A Georgia couple has been arrested for second-degree child cruelty after being accused of keeping a three-year-old child alone in a backyard shed for weeks. On June 2, Sarah Pombert, 34, and Joseph Turner, 35, were arrested for allegedly leaving three-year-old Bjorn Turner 'unsupervised, unbathed and unclothed' in a backyard shed in Douglasville from May 1 to May 22, ABC News, Fox 5 Atlanta and the Miami Herald reported. An arrest warrant filed on May 29 by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office stated that the accused 'kept a dirty living space in a shed without running water or electricity, and left the child unsupervised, unbathed, and unclothed with criminal negligence," according to the outlets. Officials have not disclosed the child's connection to Pombert and Turner, nor have they shared how they became aware of the child being left in the space, ABC News and the Miami Herald reported. A neighbor, Matthew Govoni, alleged that the couple had lived at the home for over a decade and the shed recently 'burned down during Memorial Day weekend,' ABC News reported, citing Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB. He also allegedly told the outlet that he was 'not surprised' to hear about the child's treatment and living conditions, considering 'the lifestyle [the family] live.' "I'm saddened for them and the child, but I mean, for the child, I hope they can get to a place where they can be helped," Govoni told WSB, per ABC News. Pombert and Turner are currently being held at the Douglas County Jail. The couple faces felony charges for allegedly causing "cruel or excessive mental or physical pain" to a child, according to Douglas County jail records obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. As of Friday, June 6, no defense attorney was listed for Pombert or Turner, ABC News reported, citing court records. PEOPLE has reached out to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for comment. Read the original article on People
