Opening day of boating season in Seattle brings reminder of water safety importance

SEATTLE — Opening day of boating season brought of hundreds of boats and even more spectators to the Montlake Cut to watch the 32nd Annual Windermere Cup on Saturday.

The King County Marine Rescue Unit says they had no issues Saturday, but they used opening day to remind boaters and swimmers that the enjoying the water also brings risks.

KIRO 7's Deedee Sun took a ride with King County's Marine Rescue Unit, and was told that an increase of people moving to the Northwest has brought more boats onto the water -- and in turn, more people who are unprepared for the cold temperatures of local lakes and rivers.

"Strong economy out here and more people getting out onto the water not knowing what they're getting into," Mark Rorvik of the King County Sheriff's Office said.

In King County, you must have a life jacket with you on a kayak or paddle board, but you're not required to actually wear it. However, first responders say not wearing a life jacket could be a mistake.

"We don't recover a lot of people from drowning that are wearing life jackets, but if you have your life jacket on [we're] going to save you," Rorvik said.

While the number of drownings for King County in 2017 has not been released, the Marine Unit says even with newcomers, 2017 saw a record low number of drowning deaths.

"I believe we haven't had that low [of] number since the 80's. People are getting smarter," Rorvik said.

More news from KIRO 7

• Family's Maple Valley home contaminated with meth
• 'What's funny? My baby is dead!' Mother of dead toddler yells in courtroom outburst
• Arrest made in hepatitis C outbreak at Puyallup hospital; nurse could face assault charge
• Caller described teens on college tour as 'really odd'
• SPD officer faces discipline for arrest of man with ice axe

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Cox Media Group