23-05-2025
Fox Valley proclamation in place to keep boaters safe during Memorial Day weekend
NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – Local leaders gathered in Neenah during National Boater Safety Week ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, as people came out of hibernation and started working on their boats.
As boaters start to descend upon the Fox River, boaters are reminded about some of the dangers that can come when heading out onto the water.
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'That's the reason behind it; we would hope that by bringing it up and letting people hear about it, they would think about it,' Past Flotilla Commander Bob Woche said. 'And just think about how I'm gonna have a good time on the water; think of some other things, too.'
Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs, are still strongly encouraged, as well as making sure your watercraft has a battery cover and is well maintained, even having free vessel checks through the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
'Here in the Fox Cities, to have a local Coast Guard Axillary that's willing to give free vessel checks and inspections to give people information,' Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said, 'To make sure peoples boats are safe to be on the water.'
This is the second year of the proclamation made by Mayor Woodford, and as people start to set sail during Memorial Day Weekend, spreading awareness and what actions can be used to prevent catastrophes is vital.
'Safety measures that I talk about in the proclamation and what the Coast Guard Auxiliary emphasizes are all aiming for making it safer and making people prepared if something were to happen on the water,' added Woodford.
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People who might take out their kayaks or paddleboats for the first time need to be cautious when out on the Fox River.
'We've got to get the kayakers and the paddle craft more cognizant around them,' Woche said. 'Because they are so low to the water, a lot of people can't see them.'
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