Crawford Co Sheriff's Office

Marine Patrol

The Marine Division patrols Crawford County Waterways to ensure safety for all whom use our watershed.

We have two watercraft to patrol and ensure safety of the lakes and rivers of Crawford County. The Marine Patrol staff is divided between all the lakes and rivers. The Sheriff is mandated to accomplish the recovery of any drowning victims within the jurisdiction. The Crawford County Marine Patrol is the key division responsible for the recovery of any drowning victims.

Welcome To The Lakes Of Crawford County.

We hope that you will have a safe and enjoyable experience on our waterways.

The Crawford Co Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol shares the responsibility with the Department of Natural Resources to patrol the lakes and streams of the county.

If an emergency should arise on any county waterway, boaters are urged to contact 911. Any other marine-related questions should be addressed to the Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol at (989) 348-4616 . To report non emergency marine related incidents call Central Dispatch at (989) 348-6341

Step I - Safety Equipment for your boat. Life Preservers (Personal Flotation Devices)

Small boats, Less than 16 feet in length, need only a United States Coast Guard (USCG.) approved PFD on board for each passenger. Larger boats, 16 feet or longer, must have a "wearable" Type I, Type II, or Type III PFD, designed to be worn, for each person on board. The vessel must also be equipped with a Type IV "throw able" PFD, a Type IV PFD is a device designed to be thrown to a person overboard. USCG. approved Type IV PFD's are of the
"ring" or "seat cushion" varieties.

By law, PFD's must be "readily accessible" and "immediately available". They are of little value if you can't get a them! Hand a PFD to each crew member as they board your vessel.

PFD’s must also be "serviceable". If they do not work they won't save your life! Ensure that all straps, seams, labels and flotation pieces are in good working order. Look at the label and make sure that the PFD is sized for the intended wearer.

Fire Extinguishers

If vessel of any length is construed as to trap gasoline vapors, it must be equipped with a USCG. approved fire extinguisher. Boats less than 26 feet in length need only one B1 type fire extinguisher. Boats longer than 26 feet in length need more than one B1 or B2 type fire extinguishers. Be safe, you can get a larger one for extra safety. Make sure that your fire extinguisher(s) are both "serviceable" and "accessible".

Registration Numbers

Motorists are given a plate already made. We skippers must make our own, which can result in a vessel improperly numbered.

Any boat that has an electric or gas motor or any other type of propulsion machinery, must be registered. All sailboats must also be registered.

Look closely at the diagram below:

MC 1234 AA (decal)

The letters must be block letters at least 3" high. The letters must read from left to right. The characters must also be of a contrasting color.

3" must separate prefixes, suffixes, numbers, and the registration decal, at the far right.

The characters must be on me forward half of the vessel as high out of the water as practical.

Lights and Horns

Lights are required on motorboats between sunset and sunrise, and during periods of low visibility. Anchored motor boats need only display a white aft light. Non-powered vessels need only display a white lantern to prevent a collision.

Horns are required on vessels 16 feet in length or longer

Step II - Operating your vessel safely.

Skiing

Towing anyone on skis, sleds, or similar contrivance, requires a team effort, consisting of the skipper of the boat and a second person as a competent observer.

Capacity Plates

Capacity plates are located in the vessel for your safety. Remember each person weighs 150 pounds according to the law. Do not exceed this number or pound value. Failure to do so may be viewed as "careless operation".

Slow No Wake Speed

Slow no wake is a speed of a vessel which makes a wake or wash that is minimal. Go no faster than this when within 100 feet of any dock, raft, anchored vessel bathing beaches, or buoys. Some local laws require this speed in congested areas.

High Speed Boating

High speed boating is when the boat reaches a "planing" condition. Make sure you are in open water to avoid collision. For the fast boats, inland lakes have a 55 mph speed limit. Violation of this law could be reckless operation of a vessel.

Important Information

PFD's (Personal Flotation Devices) cannot be stored in plastic bags.

Vessel must go "counter-clockwise" around the lake

All boats must stay at least 200 feet away from a diving flag. A diving flag is a red flag with a diagonal white stripe. It may be seen on a floating buoy or even displayed on a boat.

The operator of the vessel must have the registration on board.

Rubber rafts must have PFD's on board.

Intoxicated vessel operators are arrested in much the same manner as operating any vehicle while intoxicated!

You are liable for damage caused by your wake.

It is illegal to ride on the side (gunwale) or covered bow of the boat, unless the manufacturer designed the boat for that use.

Children 12 to 16 years of age must have a Boating Safety Certificate to operate a motorboat of 6 horsepower or more. The certificate must be in their possession while operating the boat.

Some insurance companies give lower rates to skippers who have completed safety courses.

Non-Use of PFD's (Personal Flotation Devices - Life Jackets) is found in over 80% of all drownings.

Wearing PFD's increases your survival chances in a water accident.

If A Water / Boating Accident Or Emergency Occurs.

If a person is injured, or more than $200.00 in damage is suspected. The appropriate water accident or boating accident report must be completed.

In Crawford County the following agencies will be happy to assist you.

Emergency CALL 911