CHICAGO (AP) — It
may be a beautiful and even warm time of year to go boating on
Lake Michigan, but the Coast Guard said that water temperatures are
dropping and may pose safety risks.
In a news
release, the Coast Guard said that while the temperatures out on the lake
might be warm, the water temperatures have already dropped substantially
since the summer — with temperatures of Lake Michigan having fallen from
almost 80 degrees during the height of summer to about 60 degrees now.
"Warm air
temperatures can create a false sense of security for boaters," said Mike
Baron, recreational boating safety specialist for the Coast Guard 9th
District. "Cool water drains body heat up to 25 times faster than cool
air. That is why we encourage boaters to always dress for the water
temperature and not the air temperature."
The Coast Guard
said people should not go on the water alone, and that boaters should wear
Coast Guard-approved life jackets. The Coast Guard also recommends boaters
carry registered personal locator beacons in addition to the VHF-FM marine
radio, to alert the Coast Guard and local agencies of problems.
The release also
recommends that boaters, if they fall in the water, assume a position that
lessens heat escape. That means bringing their knees close to their chest
and keeping them in place by wrapping their arms around their shins.
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