The U.S. Coast Guard on Lake Erie advises the boating public to use extreme caution in the Lake Erie Islands area (Chart 14844) right now as seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys in the vicinity of the Lake Erie Islands have not been placed on station.

The winter unlighted buoys may be off their assigned position, discolored, or missing retro-reflective material and numbers.

Boaters should stay vigilant while on the water, stick to areas they are familiar with, check the weather forecast, have proper and functioning safety gear aboard, and file a float plan with someone onshore.

All passengers onboard should wear a properly-fitted, Coast Guard-approved lifejacket while on the water.

Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. The water temperature for Lake Erie over Memorial Day weekend from Toledo to Erie, Pa., ranges from 49 to 54 degrees. Any water temperature under 77 degrees is considered cold water and poses a significant risk for hypothermia and death with submersion.