Coast Guard issues warning regarding Port Huron Float Down
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards put out a joint statement detailing the potential dangers of the Port Huron Float Down slated for Sunday.
The Port Huron Float Down is an unofficial event where people go down the St. Clair River in blow-up floatation devices for up to seven miles. The joint statement said the event is dangerous and warns participants about the risks it creates.
“The fast-moving current, large number of participants, lack of lifejackets, alcohol consumption, potentially challenging weather conditions, water temperature, and limited rescue resources can create difficult emergency response scenarios that can result in serious injuries or fatalities,” the statement said.
The event is scheduled to take place Sunday, with participants getting in the water in Port Huron and heading as far south as Marysville.
Port Huron Police Department Lt. Nick Godwin and Marysville Chief of Public Safety Tom Konik echoed the risks detailed in the statement. Konik also said people should be mindful of the water's temperature if they choose to participate.
"Being in the water for multiple hours means that people are going to get cold quick, and a lot of people don't factor that in," he said.
Godwin advised that people limit their alcohol consumption and drink enough water. He also said people need to be respectful of the river.
"Don't leave behind plastic, cups, bottles or anything that else doesn't belong in the river," he said
The weather forecast for Sunday is a high of 81 degrees with scattered thunderstorms. South, south east winds are expected to be 7 miles per hour.
"If there's wind coming from the south, it's going to delay the ability to float down and will hold up (participants), which leads to more tired swimmers who will be in the water for longer," Konik said.
Marysville and other partnering agencies will have officers and ambulances in Port Huron as the float down starts and will follow it down to Marysville.
Konik said people should be aware of where exit points are on the shoreline if they need to get out of the water.
The Coast Guard statement gave the following precautions for those who are choosing to participate in the float down:
Regardless of age or ability to swim, all participants are encouraged to wear an appropriately sized, U.S. Coast Guard / Canadian approved personal flotation device or life jacket at all times
Bring waterproof bags for your personal items and identification.
File a “Float Plan” with someone not participating who can report your intentions to the Coast Guard in the event you do not check-in at the scheduled time.
Never go alone. Use the buddy system, keep an eye on each other, and immediately report incidents of distress to the nearest first response agency representative.
Refrain from consuming alcohol.
Dress appropriately for the weather and cold water. Use a raft that limits your immersion in the water and can be controlled with oars or paddles.
Stay near shore and remain out of the navigation channel.
Mark your float with your name and ell phone number in waterproof ink.
The Port Huron Float Down has resulted in injury and death in the past. A 19-year-old man drowned in the 2014 float down. In 2016, approximately 1,500 people needed to be rescued from the river after high winds and heavy rainfall sent them across the Canadian border.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Coast Guard issues warning regarding Port Huron Float Down
