Labor Day Weekend Activities Promote Boating Safety At Saylorville Lake

Auxilarists Norma Newton (left) and Phil Patterson (right) patrol on Saylorville Lake on Labor Day weekend. This was the first time that Flotilla 4 patrolled with just two PWCs.
(US Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Doug Jansen)
Labor Day Weekend traditionally marks the end of the boating season in Iowa. This Labor Day Weekend Flotilla 4 made it a point to make an effort to push boating safety.

A First for Flotilla 4 was a two PWC patrol. Auxilarists Norma Newton and Phil Patterson and their PWC's performed a safety patrol on Saylorville Lake. Their patrol was to look for boaters in distress and encourage life jacket wear for children.

Flotilla 4 members visited local Recreational Boating Safety Partners in the Des Moines area to distribute boating safety literature.

Finally Flotilla 4 and Flotilla 6 provided free courtesy vessel safety checks at Big Creek Marina, Saylorville Lake Marina and the Lake View and Cherry Glen Boat Ramps. These vessel safety checks were a review of required safety equipment for local boaters. Because of the ongoing boater education we have conducted the vast majority of these vessels passed inspection.

Looking for boaters in distress is Auxilarist Phil Patterson.
(US Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Doug Jansen)