Officials discuss boating safety on Memorial Day weekend

PITTSBURGH — Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest weekends for recreational boating, but there wasn’t a boat in sight on this rainy Saturday at the Point.

However, that won’t be the case when the weather breaks. And more boat traffic is expected as COVID-19 restrictions wind down, as well.

“Obviously with things loosening up we expect a lot more people to be on the river. If you haven’t taken a safe (boating) course before please take one this year, it’s only a day or two,” Pittsburgh EMS Division Chief Raymond Everitt said.

Everitt said safety is key when you’re boating on the three rivers.

In fact, he said the biggest danger are the dams.

“When you’re up river, it looks like a flat surface and it’s truly not. And you have to pay attention to the notifications that you’re approaching a damn or lock to make sure it doesn’t go over,” he said.

Everitt also stressed that boaters should never boat under the influence, always avoid commercial traffic such as the barges going up and down the river and always wear a life jacket.

Last year there were 11 boating fatalities in the state, and already this year three people died in boating accidents in Pennsylvania. None were wearing personal flotation devices.

“You have to be prepared for the unexpected. A large wake comes by and you get knocked out of the boat and you strike your head, and then bad things happen,” Everitt said.

There is a new law this year for boaters that you can only anchor within a hundred feet of shore. Everitt says the easiest way to do that is the pillars on the bridge.

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