The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has put out a safety warning ahead of the annual Port Huron float down on Sunday, August 16.
In the joint statement issued this week, both the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards said the unsanctioned float down "poses significant dangers to participants."
"With this event, there's quite a bit of safety concern with the number of people in the water and just the overall condition of the river itself. The Coast Guard is working with local, provincial and federal response partners, as well as our U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. partners as well, to coordinate a response to this event through the use of vessels, personnel on shore, and aircraft if needed, just to ensure the safety of everyone involved," said Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) Acting Deputy Superintendent Graham Silcox
Thousands of people are expected to float about 12 kilometres along the St. Clair River beginning at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron just north of the Blue Water Bridge, ending at Chrysler Beach in Marysville. Becuase of this, the river will be closed to boats for a portion of the day.
"Unfortunately, the river will be closed from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., and that's to align with the U.S. Coast Guard safety zone that they've implemented. So, vessel traffic is restricted during that time, just to reduce the risk of any interaction with floaters down the river," said Silcox.
Participation is discouraged by the CCG due to several risk factors, including the strong current, water temperature, lack of life jackets, and alcohol consumption.
Silcox noted that if you do participate in the event, there are many actions to take to stay safe.
"The first thing is wearing a life jacket or approved flotation device, mainly to keep yourself afloat during the event and keep your airway above water. The second thing is, if you are participating, to file a sail plan. So let somebody know on shore when and where you're entering, where you're exiting, the event timing, just so that you can ensure accountability. Floaters can mark their float with a permanent marker. Put their name on it, phone number, emergency contact. Just in case we come across an empty float."
Anyone who gets in the water is urged to stay cautious and clear-headed, as incidents do happen.
"We also recommend bringing a piece of identification, just so that we can identify who you are and make sure that we take appropriate actions to assist that person: bring a cell phone or a means of communication in a waterproof container, and we don't recommend going alone. Use the buddy system, or go with a group just to make sure that you can look out for one another, and last but not least, don't consume alcohol. It's one of those things that will impair your judgment quite quickly," he said.
All floaters are asked to make sure they take any flotation devices with them when exiting the water to avoid any unnecessary searches.
