boating safety

Check your boat before you hit the water this weekend. There are new regulations that you may not be up to date with.

It's been a deadly boating year so far in Minnesota and the cold-water season brings additional challenges.

4th Of July weekend tends to be a weekend known for drinking and boating, and fatal incidents so it's perfect weekend for increased awareness and enforcement.

About 30 percent of fatal boating accidents in Minnesota occur during the cold-water period, but there are things you can do to reduce risk.

A lot of great tips here and a reminder that both "Little Alan's Law" and "Sophia's Law" are now in effect in Minnesota.

Air temps are rising, but spring water temps are still dangerously cold. These tips can save your life.

Operation Dry Water, a national campaign aimed at deterring drinking and boating, will be in full force in Minnesota Friday, June 29 - Sunday, July 1. That means public safety agencies will increase patrols looking for intoxicated boaters.

As more and more people head out onto the water for boating season, it's the perfect time to brush up on boating safety and life jacket laws.

Now that Memorial Day is here, most people in the Northland start to get into a summer state of mind.  However, many area lakes are still very cold and that can pose a risk to boaters who are not wearing life jackets.

Boating season will be here soon and the Minnesota DNR says that anyone who plans on operating a boat needs to take the time to get educated on operational and safety rules and regulations.

We are coming off a very mild November, but air and water temperatures are dropping.  With that in mind, the Minnesota DNR wants to remind people on canoes, kayaks and fishing boats to to extra precautions.

When you're boating this summer, remember that wearing a life jacket is a simple thing to do that can go a long way towards saving your life.  If you resist putting one on because you think you'll get too hot or they're too cumbersome, try an inflatable life jacket.