SAFE ON THE WATER: DNR Officer Shiloh Mast Shares Critical Tips for Brookville Lake, Whitewater River

By: JARROD McGLOTHEN

With summer officially here, local traffic is spiking fast on Brookville Lake and the Whitewater River. To get a better handle on how to stay safe on the water this season, the Voice sat down with Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Shiloh Mast, the public information officer for District 9.

Here is what he had to say about navigating our local waterways safely this summer.

Whitewater Valley Voice: Brookville Lake sees a massive influx of boaters and jet skis as soon as the temperature spikes. What are the most common safety violations or lapses in judgment you see on the lake during busy weekends, and how can folks avoid them?

Shiloh Mast: One of the most common safety violations that conservation officers find during the summer boating season is boating while intoxicated. An intoxicated boat operator puts everyone on the water at risk. Maintaining a sober operator at all times is the only way to avoid this, meaning under a .08.

Other common safety violations we find include a lack of personal flotation devices, towing without an observer, and exceeding idle speed. To minimize these risks, boaters must have enough life jackets for all passengers, including the operator. You should only tow inner tubes and other conveyances with an additional person on the vessel so the operator can keep their attention on the waterway. Boaters must also understand where idle zones on the lake are. Paying attention to buoy locations and understanding what each of the buoys mean can be extremely helpful.

Voice: The Whitewater River is incredibly popular for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking, but moving water brings different risks than a lake. What unique hazards should people look out for on the river, especially regarding currents or hidden debris?

Mast: Anyone who is floating in the river needs to pay attention to the weather. The Whitewater River and many of the creeks that stem from it are prone to flash flooding. Checking the weather prior to your trip and avoiding rainy days can help keep you safe. If the water begins to rise while you’re in the river or the riverbed, exit the water immediately and seek higher ground.

Flooding can also bring about debris and create dangerous strainers in the water. A strainer is an obstacle, such as a downed tree, log jam, or fence, that allows water to pass through but traps larger solid objects like boats and people. During river flooding, previously safe riverbanks become heavily submerged, turning trees, brush, and vegetation into deadly, hidden strainers.

Voice: There is often some confusion about life jacket requirements. Can you clarify Indiana’s laws regarding life jackets on both motorized boats and non-motorized watercraft like kayaks or tubes? What is your main advice to parents regarding kids and life jackets?

Mast: Every vessel is required to have a life jacket for each occupant on board, motorized or non-motorized. An example being a boat with five people on board must have five life jackets on board. The life jackets must be properly fitting and Coast Guard approved. Vessels over 16 feet in length must also have a Type IV throwable on board, excluding kayaks and canoes.

My advice extends to both adults and their children: Always wear a life jacket. Water can be unpredictable and people often overestimate their ability to swim. Wearing a life jacket can keep you afloat and potentially save your life if an accident were to occur.

Voice: Operating a boat under the influence carries strict penalties in Indiana. Can you touch on how alcohol affects a boater differently than a driver on the road, given factors like sun exposure and heat?

Mast: As I previously discussed, boating while intoxicated can be extremely dangerous and put everyone on the water at risk. Alcohol can have different effects on an individual when they are on the water. A combination of the heat, sunlight, and the rocking of the boat can make someone feel the effects of alcohol much faster. These factors in combination with alcohol can lead to impairment. Indiana Conservation Officers are actively patrolling and seeking out this violation. Always have a sober operator.

Voice: If a boater or paddler finds themselves or someone else in distress on Brookville Lake or the river, what is the fastest and most effective way for them to contact DNR or local emergency services out there?

Mast: If an emergency arises, call 911. Local dispatch centers have the ability to dispatch conservation officers to scenes. For non-emergencies, boaters can contact the Indiana Conservation Officers Dispatch Center at 812-837-9536. There is a good chance we are already on or near the lake you are boating on, and we will readily respond to any emergency.

Voice: What can the public expect in terms of Indiana Conservation Officer patrols and safety checks on our local waters this summer?

Mast: Conservation officers are actively patrolling Indiana’s waterways. You may be stopped for a boating violation or a compliance check. During the check, officers commonly ask for fishing licenses if applicable, a driver’s license, registration, life jackets, and a Type IV throwable. Have these items readily accessible should you be stopped, or more importantly, if you need the life jackets or throwables during an emergency.