Kootenai County marine deputies prepare for summer season

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.

After heading out on the water, the deputies put into practice what they’d learned, from performing vessel safety inspections to arresting intoxicated boaters. Deputies interact with role players, many of whom are current or retired law enforcement, and experience different scenarios.

Kyle Hunziker is returning for his second season as a marine deputy. He said the training is useful to new and returning deputies alike.

“The scenarios are very realistic to what I’ve experienced,” he said.

Coming back for another season fits nicely into Hunziker’s life; he’s working toward a general studies degree at North Idaho College and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. He said he enjoys serving the community — and the location doesn’t hurt.

“You can’t beat being out on Lake Coeur d’Alene,” he said with a smile.

Still, this time of year can be a dangerous one.

“It’s actually a really heightened time for a potential disaster,” Miller said.

Though the weather was warm, Miller cautioned that the water remains cold — about 46 degrees in Lake Coeur d’Alene Thursday morning. He noted that the Spokane River is flowing at a rate of 6,500 cubic feet per second. The temperature and current are both perilous.

“A body can’t swim through it, but it looks like it can,” Miller said. “No one can swim through that.”

Cruising from Higgens Point to Beauty Bay, Miller checked on the deputies as they ran through different scenarios. In one spot, role players created an illegal wake while passing under a bridge. Elsewhere, two jet skiers operated in a reckless manner, prompting deputies to stop them.

Miller slowed as he spotted a lone kayaker in the distance. Though bright blue in color, the kayak was a veritable speck against the surface of the lake.

“Thank you for slowing down,” the kayaker called, waving at the marine patrol boat.

“He’s surprised that a boat slowed down,” Miller said. “It’s courtesy and we have a lot of people that lack courtesy. A lot of times, it’s not that they’re rude. It’s knowledge. But when they get called on it, ego gets in the way.”

Last year, marine deputies made around 18,000 contacts with Kootenai County boaters and issued about 350 citations. A total of 62 boaters were charged with operating under the influence.

“The next highest county in the state issued about 100 (citations),” Miller said.

He attributes the higher number to Kootenai County’s popular waterways, which consist of 18 lakes and 54 miles of navigable rivers. There are more than 27,000 registered boaters in Kootenai County, a number that doesn’t account for out-of-state visitors.

“We have a lot of boaters,” Miller said.

As the marine team prepares for Memorial Day, one of the busiest periods on the water, Miller emphasized the importance of boating safety. He urged boaters to wear life jackets.

“I have people tell me, ‘I’m a phenomenal swimmer, I don’t need one,’” Miller said. “Here’s what I love to say. I’m a phenomenal swimmer, as well. I’m very comfortable in the water. But not when I’m unconscious.”