Float Down participants and spectators have begun to gather at Port Huron’s Lighthouse Beach Sunday, Aug. 16.
The unsanctioned event sees floaters on the St. Clair River for about 7 1/5 miles from Port Huron to Marysville.
Vessel traffic will be restricted on the river from noon to 6 p.m. due to the risk of boats hitting floaters.
Thousands are expected to embark on the trek every years. Officials estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 people jumped into the river in 2008 for the first Float Down in 20 years. The event was shut down following the 1988 event by the Coast Guard due to safety concerns.
According to the National Weather Service, there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 84, with a southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards issued a warning urging residents and visitors not to participate in the Float Down.
“The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, supported by many federal, state, provincial, and local agencies, are highly trained, but have limited resources,” the joint statement reads. “We embrace this responsibility but cannot be everywhere at once. We rely on waterway users to look out for one another, act responsibly, wear life jackets, and refrain from alcohol consumption while on the water to improve the likelihood they return home safely.”
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office released a list of safety tips ahead of Float Down, including that children ages 6 and under should always wear a life jacket on the water, and to make sure any inflatables used are reliable and sturdy.
“Be responsible. As with any event, we want people to be able to enjoy themselves, but keep safety a top priority. Make sure someone on land knows you are out, and let them know when you arrive safely at the end,” Erika Hrynyk, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said in an email.
Point Edward Fire and Rescue in Ontario posted on Facebook: “We will not be dedicating any resources to support this unsanctioned event this year. In the event of an emergency in Point Edward, we are still available through the 911 dispatch system should we be required to respond to any emergencies.”
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Crowds gather for Port Huron Float Down
Reporting by Liz Shepard, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liz Shepard, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
