If CPD will be boarding and inspecting every boat, you better be sure you'll pass.
Do you have all the Coast Guard required safety equipment for coastal waters? The Great Lakes are coastal waters, although some of the rules may be slightly relaxed within the breakwater. Operating in coastal waters means special safety equipment is required, like marine flares that have not reached their expiration date. Make sure your battery is secure and that your fire extinguisher is fully charged as these will be checked for sure. They will also probably ask to check your blower and bilge pump, too. If it is dusk, make sure your lights are on properly. If you anchored at a party like this without proper anchorage lighting you will get a hefty ticket.
Keep an eye on the weather. Even within the breakwater, the lake can go from calm to rough surprisingly fast. Always think ahead about where you'd go if the lake got instantly rough. Our boats are designed for inland lake use. Lake Michigan can take any of our boats down easily. When I'm on Lake Michigan within a breakwater, I'm always within minutes of the ramp. There have been times when I've had to make the dash back to shore.
Last edited by lakeski; 07-26-2010 at 8:06 PM.
Reason: typo
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