Residents from around the Blue Water Area and visitors are preparing for one of the area’s oldest traditions.
What is the Float Down and when does it start?
The unsanctioned Float Down is set to begin Aug. 16, when residents and visitors take to the water in boats, kayaks, floaties, makeshift picnic tables and anything else that can stay above water and carry them down the St. Clair River from Port Huron’s Lighthouse Beach to the Chrysler Beach in Marysville.
People show up at the beach throughout the day, sometimes in the thousands to take to the river and let the current carry them. Over the years it’s become tradition for some to do so in style, whether with a skeleton, in a giant swan, or as was seen last year a floating picnic table.
Most participants join the float down with friends and set out around noon, though floaties can be seen travelling down the river all day. In the past, participants have described the Float Down as a chance to relax and let the current take them down the river. Alcohol has also been part of the appeal, though law enforcement says it shouldn’t be.
Who is in charge of the Float Down?
The St. Clair River Float down has no sponsor, no organizers, and nobody who is “in charge.” The event is a community tradition that residents are free to participate in, though it also means there’s no organization to how it’s done and no one to arrange safety measures outside of the US Coast Guard and local public safety departments.
Is the Float Down safe?
Most people who participate in the Float Down safely arrive at Chrysler Beach as planned, but there are always a few incident. At least a few people drift into Canada, including in 2016 when 1,500 people ended up on the wrong side of the border, many without passports, money or phones. Other times people find their floatie sinking partway down the river, or accidentally flip over into the water, or get stuck on the edge of the water without a way to get themselves back on course.
The US Coast Guard has also warned participants of cold water temperatures. The National Weather Service said the Float Down is too far away to forecast the day’s weather, but warned participants’ biggest concern should be heavy winds and storms that make navigating the river difficult.
The most serious incident happened in 2014, when a 19-year-old man, Brady Morton, drowned in the river during that year’s Float Down.
How are the Coast Guard and local law enforcement involved?
The US Coast Guard has wanted the event cancelled for years, and every year warns people to not participate for their own safety. The Coast Guard also knows most people will ignore that warning, so it restricts boat traffic on the river from noon to 7 p.m. for participants safety.
Throughout the day rescue boats from the US Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement offices patrol the river helping anyone who appears to be in distress or off course. It’s an all hands on deck situation for the Coast Guard, which brings in every volunteer from the area to help for the day. Other law enforcement officers will be watching the shoreline for anyone in need of help.
Botswain’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer David Perrin said the US Coast Guard is preparing a statement with yet another warning to not participate in the event, but in the lead-up to Aug. 16 his team is preparing to see that request go unheeded. He hopes, however, that people will heed him when he asks them to have a safety plan for the event.
“If you’re going to just do it, make sure you’re following rules and regulation,” Perrin said.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office released a list of safety tips ahead of Float Down, including that children ages 6 and under should always wear a life jacket on the water, and to make sure any inflatables used are reliable and sturdy.
“Be responsible. As with any event, we want people to be able to enjoy themselves, but keep safety a top priority. Make sure someone on land knows you are out, and let them know when you arrive safely at the end,” Erika Hrynyk, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said in an email.
What can you do to stay safe?
The US Coast Guard always releases safety tips for participants in the days before the event. Here are a few suggestions from past events.
Put your name and contact info somewhere on your boat or floatie, in case it’s found without you. Also, take it with you when you finish. If a boat or floatie is found abandoned, the Coast Guard may assume the owner is missing or in danger.
- Make sure somebody knows where you’re going and when you should return, so they can communicate your plans to law enforcement if you are reported missing. Also, participating with a group can allow you to keep each other safe.
- Have essential items such as a passport, money and a phone in a waterproof bag in case of an emergency.
- Wear a life jacket at all times.
- Bring a paddle in case there’s a need to steer.
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Use a boat or floatie that limits immersion in the water to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
- Stay near the shore.
- If a child is with you, use a swim tether to keep them close by.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Thousands expected at annual Port Huron Float Down
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
