By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Memorial Day weekend was always one of Kentucky Wildlife and Boating Officer Douglas W. Bryant's busiest times, his colleagues say.

"Doug hauled Cincinnati media around promoting boater safety every Memorial Day weekend," said Col. David Casey, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "He was always out spreading the word about boater safety, from the classrooms to the docks."

With Bryant's death after a car chase on Interstate 71/75 on Monday, state officials are left scrambling to assign the task of holding boater safety programs. Hundreds of Greater Cincinnatians are expected to take to the waterways for the first time this year.

Bryant was assigned to Kenton County and routinely patrolled the waterways in Northern Kentucky. Casey said his duties will now fall on two wildlife and boating officer assigned to Boone County.

"Our officers will be out there educating the public about their boats, many of which were bought at shows during the winter," said Casey. "We tell them that a lot accidents on the water, just like on the road, are attributed to drinking. And we remind them about the importance of life jackets."

Nationally, an average of 95 boating fatalities occur in May, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. July, with an average of 157 deaths, is the most dangerous boating month.

"Boaters need to check to make sure all the safety equipment that was on their boat when they put it away for the winter is still there," said Capt. Paul Leffler of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. "That includes life jackets and fire extinguishers."

During the weekend, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will have vessel safety checks at the Schmidt Boat Ramp, 2944 Humbert St., East End, and Riverside Boat Ramp, 3540 Southside Ave., Riverside.

On Thursday morning, the Ohio River at the Suspension Bridge was at 39.0 feet. Today, it is expected to drop to 37.4 feet. Leffler said the river will remain high throughout the weekend, making it more dangerous for boaters who venture out.

Tristate residents need to be aware of some laws, officials say.

Kentucky residents ages 12-18 must successfully complete a NASBLA-approved boating course, according to www.boatsafe.com. Twelve is the minimum age to operate a craft with 10 horsepower or more.

In Ohio, residents born after Jan. 1, 1982, must successfully complete a NASBLA-approved course to operate a powerboat or personal water craft of 10 hp or greater, according to www.boatsafe.com.

Leffler said boaters need to remember that the no-wake zone on the Ohio River through Greater Cincinnati has been extended from 100 feet to 300 feet from the dock to the center of the river. That means you can't create a wake within 300 feet of one of the floating restaurants.

State and federal officials would talk about specific security measures taken on waterways this weekend because of the increased national terror risk.

"With the heightened security alert, we will increase patrols," said Coast Guardsman Chad Taylor in Cincinnati. "I'm not at the liberty to discuss other measures we are taking."

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com