A new patrol boat at Wyandotte County Lake will help make boating safer at the lake, according to officials.
Launched on Saturday, July 12, the new patrol boat and safety sticker program is part of an effort to educate the public and emphasize safety in boating, said Lt. Kelli Bailiff, spokesman for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Department has purchased a federal decommissioned boat that was used in the Columbia Shuttle disaster recovery mission in 2003, she said.
The department started the program as a proactive way to try to reduce the high numbers of boating and water incidents, she said.
After an inspection, a sticker will be placed on boats at Wyandotte County Lake. As the lake is patrolled, officers will be able to see an inspection sticker on the boats.
“It gives them visibility,” said Capt. Daniel Soptic. “It makes it more visible to them what boats have been checked and what haven’t.”
Boats are checked for numerous requirements under Kansas law, such as registration, state numbers, life jackets, fire extinguisher, horn and lights, he said. Most of it is a safety inspection making sure the boats have the needed safety equipment, he added.
The speed limit is 20. This is not being enforced. People are setting limb lines out. I believe this is illegal. Police were called. But didn’t come. The ones it belonged to became spooked and left. Took a picture of their car and called 911 with the plate number.
Was explaining the Sheriff’s boat patrol to some out-of-town guests. They liked it and asked if the Coast Guard Reserve does boat inspections in the area? My neighbor commented most likely not as the deputies are not certified and several don’t even know how to swim! Tell me this is not so!!