Kootenai County marine deputies prepare for summer season
A marine deputy jet skis across the surface of Lake Coeur d’Alene on Thursday morning.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — Three factors keep Kootenai County’s marine patrol deputies busy throughout the summer months: alcohol consumption on the water, inadequate boating safety education and few life jackets.
“I’ve recovered hundreds of people out of our waterways in the past 14 years,” Sgt. Ryan Miller, Kootenai County recreation safety supervisor, said Thursday morning as he steered a 10,000-pound vessel across the steely waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene. “Hundreds. Never has one had a life jacket on. All of our drownings happen without a life jacket.”
Thursday was the final day of the North Idaho marine academy, the culmination of a monthlong training program for marine deputies.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
