Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Boating deaths increased this year especially in non-motorized boats, despite the shortened season caused by spring rains.
Twenty-four people died in boating-related accidents, up six from last year, said John Lacenski, boating law administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
“We had some unusual circumstances this year that probably contributed to the increase in fatalities,” Lacenski said.
The biggest problem was boaters not wearing life jackets, he said. Seventeen of the 24 who drowned were not wearing the devices, Lacenski said.
Nine people died while operating non-motorized craft, which have grown more popular.
