MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public to boat responsibly throughout the July 4th weekend.
The top reminders – boat sober and always wear a life jacket.
Operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness and speeding are the four leading causes of watercraft crashes, with the leading cause of death being drowning.
DNR says drowning can happen to experienced swimmers. Most people who drown in boating-related incidents know how to swim but become incapacitated in the water, such as being injured, unconscious, exhausted or weighed down by clothing.
So far this year, there have been five boating fatalities in Wisconsin, and two victims were confirmed not wearing life jackets, according to DNR.
In 2024, there were 14 boating fatalities, 10 of which involved a victim not wearing a life jacket.
More boating safety reminders can be found here.
