The Marine Patrol is directed under the supervision of Sgt. Fred Siegl (269-657-2006 Ext. 217) and employees 17 total Marine Patrol officers. The Marine Patrol is responsible for enforcing all watercraft laws within Van Buren County. Van Buren County has a total of 113 lakes in which there are access to 78. Van Buren County also is responsible and has jurisdiction on Lake Michigan for a stretch between Allegan and Berrien Counties.

Marine Patrol has two boats that patrol South Haven, Lake Michigan area, a seventeen foot boat for patrolling the black river, and a 28 foot boat for patrolling Lake Michigan, and two fifteen foot patrol boats that patrol the lakes in Van Buren Co. When needed, an unmarked boat and Loaner Personal Watercraft machines from local dealers are used for patrolling the lakes.

The Marine Patrol's first objective is water safety. While enforcing water safety, the following things are looked for:

• Legally registered vessels
• Proper display of numbers
• Proper equipment; including life jackets ( PFD's ) in the proper sizes, equalling the number of people on board. Fire extinguishers, registration papers and boating certificates.
  
  NOTE: Life jackets MUST be out of the plastic bags. They should be readily available for quick access.

Some of the tasks patrols do are:

• Accident investigation and reports.
• Safety patrol for special events.
• Enforcement of marine laws.

2003 Year End Report : Marine Division

The Marine Patrol was very active on the counties 113 inland lakes, 13 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and the Black River Harbor , which has over 1,700 slips. Lake patrol hours totaled 1313 (1704); contacts of 4944 (7203); tickets written were 20 (43); warnings given 547 (732) and complaints investigated 27 (119).

We will continue to increase our inland lake patrols and our most pressing issue is the lack of state funding over the past 3 years to replace our aging fleet of boats.

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