- Weber County deputies increased patrols at Pineview Reservoir for the Fourth of July.
- Four vessels, aided by the U.S. Forest Service, monitored safety compliance.
- Deputies focused on educating visitors about safety laws and proper equipment usage.
HUNTSVILLE, Weber County — The Fourth of July is typically one of the busiest days of the year at Pineview Reservoir, which is why Weber County deputies are staffing up to help keep people safe there.
With the help of the U.S. Forest Service, they had four vessels patrolling the waters Friday, watching out for people who might need help, and others who might be forgetting to follow basic safety laws.
"We have a lot of individuals who just don't know that basic safety, being out on the water," deputy Alex Coleman said. "You are required by law to stay 150 feet away from all vessels, persons in the water, or buoys while you are above wake speeds so or at wake speeds."
As a KSL-TV reporter rode along with Coleman Friday, both a jet ski and a boat were found inside a no-wake zone. Coleman says that often people simply fail to read the surrounding buoys.
"The buoys are our version of street signs," Coleman said. "You need to read them. You need to be aware of what they look like and what the symbols mean on them."
Coleman said other common violations happen regarding lifejackets. There must be one for each person on a vessel, and anyone 12 or under must be wearing one. They also need to be Coast Guard certified.
"We're having individuals who are wearing what's called an impact vest or a tournament vest, and these vests are not Coast Guard certified," Coleman said.
For the most part, however, Coleman says deputies like himself will be out there to remind and warn people.
"I'm not going to pull somebody over and give them a ticket for the most minute little thing," Coleman explained. "But I'm going to give them the safety education that they need to make sure that they're good to go."
