Behind the Badge - The Fun Wreckers
The Fun Wreckers
District Game Warden Jonathan Tofteland
Summer is getting close. Everyone is excited and making summer plans. Lake activities are usually at the top of many people's lists.
That means game wardens are usually on patrol or around nearby lakes and rivers.
Summers are busy for us with fishing and recreational boating. For many of us, we patrol quite a bit in boats to make sure recreational boaters are safe and following the laws.
Contrary to many beliefs, we are not out there to ruin your day. My uncle calls me the “fun wrecker” during the summer, usually in a joking manner. But we do see some crazy things on the water that can have very bad outcomes, which is why our main goal is make sure everyone is safe.
One of my first summers on boat patrol, I remember checking a pontoon that appeared to be near the passenger capacity limit. As soon as I flagged them down, the operator stopped the pontoon and crawled to a different seat hoping I didn’t see him.
While the group on board was within the capacity limit, they were short four life jackets, which resulted in a citation. I asked the operator to give me his identification so I could begin writing the citation.
Once the operator realized he didn't fool me by moving, he decided to step up and over the seats and jumped into the lake. I was a bit shocked at what just happened and I think the group on the pontoon was too.
I asked if anyone was able to see him on the other side. One of the passengers saw him surface and said he was hiding under the pontoon.
After some encouragement from his friends, he tried to get back in the pontoon but was unable to make the climb. Instead, he had to climb into my boat.
I observed some impairment and after some brief sobriety tests, he was arrested for boating under the influence. Luckily, he did not hurt anyone or himself.
Like most wardens, I have been on a few search and rescue calls that have turned into recoveries.
It is probably one of the toughest parts of our job but a necessary one. It helps give families closure to start the healing process. Many of the victims have been around water, are comfortable around it, and are able to swim.
Random things happen sometimes that can make even the best swimmer struggle and can lead to devastating results. I have gotten a whole new respect for the water after some of these incidents, and it is one of the reasons that boat safety is one of my top priorities for the summer season.
Please remember to keep safety in mind when you are on the boat this summer.
Make sure you have life jackets for everyone in the boat. The law is that everyone 10 and under must be wearing a life jacket when the boat is in motion, but it doesn’t hurt for everyone to have one on, especially if the weather is a bit rough or if someone isn’t comfortable on the water.
It is better to have a life jacket on and not need it than to need it and not have it on.
Everyone, no matter their age, must wear a life jacket if they are on a personal watercraft. This includes jet skis. Be sure to check your life jackets to make sure they are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Unapproved life jackets are becoming more available and are sold at sporting goods stores right next to the approved jackets.
Be sure to look at the inside of the jacket to see the Coast Guard approval.
Most that are unapproved will display something in big letters saying it is not approved or not a life jacket. These unapproved life jackets will not count if they are wearing them on a jet ski or as a required one for the boat.
One of the common issues we have on lakes is that kids do not have boat safety when it is needed.
Anyone between the ages of 12 to 15 need boat safety to operate boats, pontoons and jet skis.
Anyone under that age cannot operate any of the aforementioned without someone 18 years or over. The person responsible for the underage operators can be cited if they are caught.
I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer. Just remember our goal isn’t to be the “fun wreckers” but to make sure everyone goes home safe and sound.