COEUR d'ALENE - Patrolling 18 lakes and more than 50 miles of navigable river, the deputies of the Recreation Safety Section cover a lot of water in Kootenai County.

As recreationists pull their boats out of storage and make ready for summer, the safety section - a waterborne element of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department - is preparing to patrol.

"This is basically the start of our boating enforcement season," said Lt. Stu Miller.

Over Memorial Day weekend, depending on weather and boat traffic, a number of two-deputy teams will hit the water, Miller said. Using jet-powered inflatables or conventional vessels, the teams will be scattered throughout the county, traveling on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Spokane River and nearby waterways.

According to the latest predictions from Avista and the National Weather Service, Lake Coeur d'Alene will not reach flood stage this weekend.

On Friday evening, the lake was at 2,132.45 feet above sea level; flood stage is 2,133 feet.

"It doesn't look like the water is going to get high enough to get in the automatic no-wake zone ordinance," Miller said.

If the lake level holds or lowers, power-boaters are allowed to make waves.

"Primarily, this is going to be a very big educating weekend for folks," Miller said. "We do a lot of educating on boating laws, (and) what they should have in the boats."

All boats are required to carry personal flotation devices - life jackets - for everyone aboard. It's a rule the department takes seriously, said Sgt. Ryan Higgins of the safety section.

"We have pretty much zero-tolerance," he said. "If you're missing life jackets, there will be some enforcing activity done."

A sound-producing device, such as a whistle or horn, is also mandatory. Gas-powered boats must have a fire extinguisher as well.

And operating under he influence, Higgins said, will not be tolerated.

In shoreline areas, section teams will be checking on no-wake violations. With the lake level near flood stage, large waves from boat motors can cause major property damage.

On restricted travel routes - in channels or rivers, for instance - no-wake zones are an important safety precaution.

When a violation occurs, "People are going too close to shore, or too close to other boats," Higgins said. "We're really trying to educate the public and talk to the public about being a little more courteous."

The no-wake zone on most of Lake Coeur d'Alene, he added, extends 200 feet from the shoreline or docks. On the Spokane River the zone extends 100 feet from the bank.

Another potential problem is invasive species. In order to prevent zebra and quagga mussels from infesting Lake Coeur d'Alene, all boats are required to carry an invasive species sticker. The safety section enforces the rules.

"This is the Department of Agriculture's third year with the (invasive species) program," Miller said. "This year we're going to take a little bit harder stand on it. Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana are generally the only states that are not infected."

Typically, the safety section teams encounter disabled boats during their daily patrols. Boaters are getting back on the water after a long winter, and often their skills have deteriorated, Miller said.

The teams do not provide towing services, except in cases of emergency.

"If we have a tow, we will refer to the towing business," Miller said.

Lake City Marine Services is available for any tow on Kootenai County waters, he added.

Safety section deputies undergo four weeks of training prior to the season. The teams are based at the sheriff's office, but launch from bases on the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d'Alene, Higgins said.

Sheriff's rescue boats can also be trailered to more out-of-the way locations.

For the rest of the summer, Recreation Safety Section crews will be inspecting vessels and enforcing regulations.

"We're really big on pushing boat safety and educating the public on safe boating practices," Higgins said.