U.S. Coast Guard Wants Boaters Steering Clear of Danger

The open waters of Lake Michigan will be a crowded place this holiday weekend, and the Coast Guard wants you to know you'll be watched very carefully.

Eight to ten patrol boats will be out making sure you're not intoxicated. Alcohol is estimated to be the cause of 20 percent of boater deaths. And just like driving, you can get a DUI.

Also, new this year is a free Coast Guard app you can download to help you better navigate the open waters. It'll tell you the best way to equip your boat. The app also has a tracking device, so you can be located if you're lost. It's also highly recommended to wear your life jacket at all times, even though it's not required by law. But there has to be a life jacket readily available for every passenger on board.

For more about boating safety, see the attached link to this story.