GREEN BAY, Wis. — The waters of the Bay of Green Bay were choppy Sunday morning as Joe Fischer and Michael Calmes began their patrol.

Both are members of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit, which recently began its patrols on the three major waterways around Green Bay.

“I would say that, in general, the people that come out here do behave and want to have a good experience out here,” said Fischer as he maneuvered the patrol boat over the waves.

Part of that experience is keeping safety in mind. That’s something both deputies said they often speak to boaters about while on patrol.

“Once we stop and talk to somebody, it’s making sure they have the proper equipment on the boat, that they do have all their lifejackets, a throwable on board, a fire extinguisher,” Fischer said. “Just a lot of simple things that sometimes people forget to check for when they go out.”

This week is designated Safe Boating Week and comes just ahead of Memorial Day weekend. It’s intended to remind boaters to brush up on their safety skills and prepare for the season.

On the more placid waters of the Suamico River, Calmes said his job on the water is a mix of education and enforcement.

The two are sometimes intertwined.

“It’s not necessarily that we’re out here to write citations, we do that as well because there’s that need, but most of it is education,” Calmes said. 

Both want to see people have fun on the water safely.

“I’d rather be coming by and just able to wave at everybody as we go because that shows people are doing their job and doing what’s needed,” Calmes said. “Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.”

So far this year, four people have died in boating accidents, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Last year, 25 people died.

Back on the choppy waves of the bay, Fischer highlights the gear and planning that can make a difference with the unexpected happens.

“That you have life jackets for everyone on board and you should have spares in case you have to take anyone else on board,” he said. “You need to have a throwable onboard with you and, if you’re going to be out on big water like this, it’s always a good idea to have extra equipment, some type of cell phone or radio with you and a flare gun if you’re going to be out after dark.”