Following a drowning near Blair on the Missouri River last week, agencies are urging individuals to engage in safe practices when out boating on the water.
The body of Emma Olsen, 20, was found June 2, after a four-day search between Iowa and Washington County agencies.
Olsen was reported missing May 29 after a boat she was on sank in the Missouri River.
The case is under criminal investigation.
WCSO to increase river presence
On May 26, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department held a river rescue training.
Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said the exercise focused on the protocols first responders take if someone is injured while boating.
“They care for the injured, transport the injured — it went very well, communications were very good between all the entities,” Robinson said.
During the summer, Robinson said the sheriff’s department responds to a lot of disabled boats, but they do periodically respond to accidents on the river.
“It’s always sad and it’s very frustrating,” he said. “A lot of those things can be avoided just by simple common sense.”
When it comes to water safety, Robinson said boaters need to be aware of just how dangerous the Missouri River can be.
“My understanding is this boat (that Olsen was on) struck a rock jetty and sank within minutes,” he said. “Make sure you have a life preserver handy, because you never know when something like that is going to happen. You may only have seconds to get out of the boat.
“That river is treacherous — no matter what anybody says. They may think it’s a calm river — it’s not. It’s very dangerous.”
The boat operator, Robinson said, plays the most important safety role for any river outing.
“Make sure they’re not intoxicated, make sure they know what they’re doing and watch your speed on the river,” he said. “Unless you know that river, you need to respect it.”
Robinson said the sheriff’s office intends to increase its presence on the river following the accident, particularly near the Cotton Cove Marina and RV Resort.
“We’re going to work with the Iowa (Department of Natural Resources) and Nebraska Game and Parks, we’re going to have regular river patrols with our boat and will be looking for boat operators operating recklessly,” he said. “And also, operating under the influence of alcohol. If we can detect that and we believe they’re under the influence, they will be arrested and taken off the river.”
Cottonwood hosts boater safety course
A U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boater safety course was held at Cottonwood Saturday morning and afternoon, and served as an imperative and timely educational lesson for new boaters.
Marie Carsey of the Auxiliary repeated one important piece of advice to the 20 attendees: wear a life preserver at all times when out on water.
The course ended with participants taking a boating safety test, which, upon passing, granted them their boaters license.
The U.S. Coast Guard normally sees a sizable amount of individuals taking the course, though the numbers have dwindled since the class can be taken online, Carsey said.
“I really wish they wouldn’t have gone with the online version because I just don’t think people learn as much,” she said. “You can’t ask questions (to an instructor).”
The marina hosts the course each year for those wanting their boating license, Carsey said.
“It’s like getting your driver’s license — you need to learn what the rules are, and a lot of people don’t know them and they don’t know proper safe operation of the boat,” she said. “The main thing we emphasize is to please wear your life jackets, because if you fall in the water, or if you hit your head, you can’t swim. It’s hard to put it on if you’re already in the water, and that’s the thing that will save lives.”
Carsey said life preservers must be readily accessible.
“Anybody that’s under 13 has to wear one all the time,” Carsey said. “At night on the river is really dangerous. The river has jetties that stick out in the river to slow it down, because the Missouri River is the fastest in the country. You need to be very, very careful. Most of the people that drown don’t have life jackets on.”
