Petty Officer 2nd Drew Allen and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Kuehl perform field sobriety tests on a boater during Seattle’s Seafair, Aug. 5, 2017. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lara Davis)
SEATTLE — During the 69th annual Seafair, Coast Guard crews from around the Seattle area, in conjunction with local authorities will conduct safety and law enforcement efforts on Lake Washington during the weekend events.
Coast Guard crews working with federal and local law enforcement partners will be patrolling for high speed and reckless boating as well as addressing boating under the influence cases while conducting education, detection and enforcement patrols.
The high volume of boating traffic from Seafair events on the lake increases the need for multi-agency cooperation to enforce safety on and along the water. The Coast Guard is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, including boaters, people on paddle craft and swimmers.
Boaters are ultimately responsible for their own safety, however, Coast Guard crews will be conducting safety checks working with boaters to ensure all required safety gear such as lifejackets and fire extinguishers are on board and operational.
The consumption of alcohol on a boat is legal, however it is illegal to operate a boat while intoxicated. All boaters who intend to involve alcohol with their boating activities need to assign a Designated Skipper, who can operate the vessel sober. Boating under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is illegal and can result in an arrest.
