ABOVE: DNR Official Eric Schettler speaks about water safety on Thursday at the Martin County Library in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT – Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Official Eric Schettler shared what he’s seen regarding water and boat safety in Southern Minnesota during a talk Thursday at the Martin County Library in Fairmont.

While it sounds simple, Schettler said the main issue he has seen is with life jackets. There must be a jacket for each person on board a boat. If they are 10 or younger, they must be wearing a life jacket at all times.

“They don’t check to see if they got enough life jackets,” he said. “Some of these life jackets have been in their wells for how long and mice get in there. They need to be clean, dry and serviceable. They can’t have holes in it.”

If life jackets are taken from the boats during the off-season, Schettler said people will forget to put them back in and be caught unaware when they’re stopped on the lake.

Life jackets must be stamped with a U.S. Coast Guard seal to fall under Minnesota regulations. Nowadays, Schettler said they have several different types of jackets. Some are meant to be more comfortable to wear and can inflate on contact with water or manually by pulling a cord.

If inflatable life jackets are chosen, Schettler said they have to be worn at all times regardless of age.

Babies under six months and/or 16 pounds are too small for any life jacket and cannot be on a boat. Schettler said he has had run-ins with people who have broken this rule.

Schettler’s also had situations where parents bought a 3XL life jacket, thinking they could put their kid in it with them. He said that is also not allowed.

Regarding watercraft, Schettler said paddleboards have risen in popularity over the last few years. Depending on the manufacturer, some don’t have a place to store a life jacket. Not only are life jackets required while on paddleboards, but any watercraft over 10 feet needs to be registered.

“Fortunately, I don’t see many people on a busy weekend going out in the middle,” Schettler said. “They’re low on the shore. You can still drown, but at least I can get them back and say, ‘Hey, turn around, go back home, grab a life jacket, put it on there.’ If you don’t have a place to put it, rig up with something or wear it.”

Jet skis have also raised concerns. They must go slower than five miles per hour within 150 feet of land, docks, people or other hazards. Schettler said sometimes people don’t take the time to gauge that, and unknowingly break the rules. This has been combined with an increase in popularity as a popular purchase during COVID.

On invasive species, Schettler said the consistent messaging is paying dividends. Even those new to watercraft are coming in knowing about water draining after being out on the lake. However, Schettler said he has also seen people use that knowledge nefariously.

“Guy comes in with his trailer,” Schettler said. “His plug was in, and I stopped him. I had a weird feeling. I said, ‘We’re going to go outside town to pull it on the ground. I have a sneaking suspicion that you got Okoboji water.’ He smiled and said, ‘Yes, I do.’ He was deliberately going to dump in the lake. I said, ‘Why would you do that?’ He said. ‘Because you guys are just going to get it anyway. I’m here to help out.'”

Eurasian watermilfoil and brittle naiad have been discovered in West Okoboji Lake. Schettler said they are developing ways to deal with invasive species, and the more they can hold off, the more likely a solution will be found.