With ice completely melted on area ponds and lakes and mild spring conditions, watercraft users are urged to take safety precautions.

Lake Darling State Park Ranger Zach Haworth says whether your watercraft is big or small, don’t set sail without your lifejackets, “No matter what type of vessel you’re on, whether it be a fishing boat, a kayak, canoe, even a tube for that matter you have to have one lifejacket per person on board that vessel. Another thing is folks should look over the lifejackets that they have for any damage that could occur. From UV damage from the sun or obviously we store our equipment for the winter, if they sustained damage from mice or things have been chewed on, stuff like that, that can render those devices not as effective or even inoperable.”

Haworth advises boaters to inspect their vessels for any damage to avoid situations similar to two weeks ago when he had to rescue a young male whose kayak sank from a gash in the kayak’s hull. He says motorized boats should also be equipped with fire extinguishers.