Latest river patrol results in 56 citations
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 6 years, 4 months AGO
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
COEUR d'ALENE — Marine deputies have been hopping on the Spokane River the past two weekends.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office issued 56 citations during an emphasis patrol from Friday through Sunday, bringing the total citations to 94 over the past two weekends.
KCSO Lt. Ryan Higgins said while wake zone violations are a priority based on complaints from river property owners, other citations were made for speed, overloading, no lifejackets, negligent operations and no navigation lights.
"During this last weekend there were a minimum of two teams dedicated to the Spokane River," Higgins said.
There were 121 boat inspections, bringing the two-weekend total to 200.
Higgins said last weekend there were also four arrests for boating under the influence and one injury boat crash involving a wakeboarder.
"(The accident) involved a wakeboarder who fell off and dislocated his shoulder," Higgins said. "No other vessels were involved."
Higgins said there will be more weekend emphasis patrols during this boating season, but those dates have not been determined.
Most of the fines are $100.
The speed limit on the river is 35 mph during the day and 20 mph at night.
If boaters are within 100 feet of a dock, shoreline or structure they need to be traveling at a speed no greater than 5 mph and creating no wake.
If boaters are within 50 feet of another vessel, the maximum speed is 15 mph.
Additionally, no motor-driven watercraft can be operated at a speed or in a manner that creates an excessive, dangerous or damaging wake.
Damaging wakes on the river have been a hot-button issue before county commissioners in recent years. Increasing deputies has also been discussed. Creating a no-wake zone on the river between Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls has been presented as an idea from some property owners, but hasn't gained traction with commissioners.
Those who have questions about boating laws or would like to sign up for a free boating safety class, call 208-446-1362.