January 1 GRDA Police Weekly Update

January 2, 2019

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GRDA Continue Traning

The GRDA Police confined space rescue rope team held recent training at Northeast Tech-Pryor campus to hone their skills in rope and confined space rescue training. The group worked on drills that included repelling down a five-story tube to perform a patient rescue. "Once on the bottom, inside the confined space, the team members provide necessary emergency medical responder care. Following that, they then remove the victim by pulling him back up the tube to the top," said GRDA Police Captain Casey King. "Next, the team repelled from the fifth floor and practiced locking off to perform drills and lastly, they repelled down to rescue a suspended victim."

Police Officer Paul Mader (photo above) rescues a suspended victim up five stories during confined space rescue (CSR) training, held at Northeast Tech in Pryor. The training is held quarterly to keep team members current on the life savings skills necessary to act quickly and safely when needed. The team has recently been able to provide support for the Grand River Energy Center and Substation crews.

GRDA Police are one of the few law enforcement agencies in the state that have a team of officers that are trained in ropes and confined space training, as these type of specialized rescues are typically performed by fire and rescue services. Due to the types of environments that officers work within our agency, it is imperative that we have officers immediately available for deployment to provide this type of assistance, when needed.

If Your Property is on the Lake

Thefts Investigated

GRDA Police are currently investigating the theft of property from a boat that was docked overnight in the area of Patricia Island in Grove. Items taken in the theft included fishing equipment, depth finders and a firearm.

Once again we remind you to secure your property. Do not leave valuables on your boat to remove the opportunity for thieves to take your property. Thieves often take advantage of the reduced population on the lakes this time of year by working from the water at night. Report all suspicious activity by calling GRDA Police at 918-256-0911.

Take Lock Leave

Did You Know?

In 2017, the Coast Guard counted 4,291 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.

Are You Ready for Winter Weather?

Stop Poaching

Safety Education Programs

Updates on the Web

Did you not receive our latest GRDA Update? Do you have a friend that wants to see our Updates? You can now go to our website at GRDA.com to view the latest edition of GRDA Police Updates. Go to the Lakes/River tab, open the GRDA Police tab and click on the GRDA Police Update for the latest version of our email release.

Visit our website for GRDA Police Updates

Boating Tips From the GLSPS

The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron, more commonly referred to as the “Power Squadron” around the lake, is part of the United States Power Squadrons that has a new name, “America’s Boating Club”. The local boating club has been in existence for 20 years, teaching boating classes to the public and its members, promoting safe boating and protecting the lake environment. Boating courses are available for the beginner to the experienced boater with on-the-water training.

In 2005, the boating club partnered with the GRDA to start the annual shoreline clean up that continues to this day. Tons of dock foam and other debris have been removed from the shoreline with the help of lake residents and other volunteers. The partnership with the GRDA has expanded in recent years to provide free life jackets for children that are fitted to the child at local boat shows by power squadron members. Also, loaner life jacket stands are now provided at various locations around the lake and maintained by the club.

Another service provided for local boaters are vessel safety inspections. These are available at no charge by specially trained and certified squadron members who can issue the GRDA and Coast Guard decals for those boats properly equipped for safe boating.

Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart from the start and take a course from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. For local information visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.

NAV TIME

A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips

That All Boat Operators Should Know

Who May Operate a Vessel

The following operator age and boater education requirements apply to vessels on Oklahoma public waters.

A child under 12 years of age may not operate a vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors over 10 horsepower, a personal watercraft (PWC), or a sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length.

A child 12 to 15 years of age may operate a vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors over 10 horsepower, a personal watercraft (PWC), or a sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length only if all of the following conditions are met.

He or she has successfully completed an approved boating safety education course or passed a proctored equivalency examination and has received a Boating Safety Education Certificate and …
He or she is supervised by a competent person who is at least 18 years of age.
If the vessel is other than a personal watercraft: The supervising person must be on board and in position to take immediate control of the vessel.
If the vessel is a personal watercraft: The person must supervise visually within 500 yards of the PWC.

All vessel operators must carry on board one of the following:

An original Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof the operator meets the education requirements or …
A photo ID that shows the operator is 16 years or older.

These operators are exempt from the Oklahoma boater education requirement:

Non-residents who have successfully completed another state’s boating safety education course or equivalency examination that is approved by the Department of Public Safety
Children who are operating a personal watercraft in a “no wake” zone while under the supervision of an adult