LAS VEGAS, Nevada (FOX5) – Boaters and lake visitors have organized a safety meeting at Lake Mead and invited park rangers to speak with concerned citizens to prevent further tragedies in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The action came after Lake Mead Rangers announced the recovery of a body Wednesday afternoon. Family members confirmed the person’s identity as Greg Bell, a 58-year-old who was paddleboarding with loved ones on Saturday when a storm hit the area.
Concerned Boulder City resident Bart Cops volunteered to host a safety meeting on the Lake Mead Family Boaters Facebook page, receiving hundreds of responses and numerous volunteers.
“This lake can turn into an ocean, the difference is that we don’t see sharks and whales here,” Cops said. “Within 10 minutes, a beautiful day on the lake can turn into a fight for life,” he said. Cops is a certified boat captain in his native Belgium.
The police noticed a trend that many others have observed during the pandemic: Many new lake lovers have purchased a new boat, kayak, jet ski or paddleboard, but are not following proper safety precautions.
The town hall meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the boat ramp in Hemenway Harbor. Police have invited park rangers to attend and speak with concerned citizens.
FOX5 sent park rangers an email about life jacket policies.
Lake Mead Park Rangers emailed FOX5 the following advice:
- Wear a life jacket! Life jackets save lives. Make sure your life jacket is still serviceable and has no tears, breaks, or other defects. Also, make sure children’s jackets still fit. Life jackets are required for all recreationists on Lake Mohave and are highly recommended for all recreationists on Lake Mead.
- Boat safe: Follow navigation rules. Keep a lookout. Maintain a safe speed for the conditions.
- Boat smart: Keep an eye on the weather as conditions on the lake can change quickly and without warning. Make sure your boat has the necessary safety equipment. Communicate your planned travel plans to an emergency contact. We recommend carrying a cell phone and a marine VHF radio so you can call for help. Having a GPS device and knowing how to use it can help rescuers find you.
- Boat sober: If you drink alcohol, be responsible. It is against the law to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol.
- Plan for the unexpected: Make sure the people on board your vessel know how to operate it. Leave the boat keys on board the vessel.
- Don’t forget that you have to swim back: A day outdoors can cause your body to lose energy. Distances in the desert can be deceptive. The island or buoy you are swimming towards may be farther away than you think. When you swim, please wear a life jacket.
FOX5 asked about the guidelines for inflatable pool toys.
“Inflatable pool toys are prohibited at Lake Mead NRA. This includes inflatable children’s water wings, beach balls, inflatable group rafts and pool noodles. These toys often come with their own explicit warnings stating that they are intended for use in the pool only and not as a flotation device in large bodies of water, as they are not approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for such use,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to FOX5.
Officials also explained the guidelines for paddleboarders.
“A paddleboard is considered a personal watercraft (PWC) and all occupants must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a PWC. Children under 13 must wear their life jacket while on a paddleboard. The U.S. Coast Guard strongly recommends that SUP or paddleboard operators be tethered to their board, but does not currently require it,” a spokesperson wrote via email.
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