Boating on Lake Charlevoix usually reaches its apex around the Fourth of July and continues at high levels all the way through Memorial Day. These holidays and weekends demand added diligence from local law enforcement.

"We put everybody on," said Sgt. Don Richards of the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office Marine Division. "With increased boat traffic, you see more chance for an accident.” On particularly busy weekends, he said, the patrol has two regular boats and a jet boat on Lake Charlevoix during the day and six marine deputies on at night.

The two Zodiac patrol boats - one green and one orange - have rigid inflatable pontoon hulls, blue lights and are marked "Sheriff." The jet boat is yellow and black, identifiable by a blue pole light. The Zodiacs are a daily presence and have been patrolling Lake Charlevoix this year even before the onset of the season in late May.

"Over all, people were really pretty well-behaved this Memorial Day weekend," Richards said. "Most people are just out to have a good time. It's that small, select few that are doing things that require enforcement action."

According to Richards, marine patrol officers issued three citations May 29-31. One was for an expired registration, one for no certificate of registration on board and one was issued for failure to carry a fire extinguisher on a jet ski.

In addition to preparing for holidays that draw visitors to the lake in large numbers, officers patrol daily and answer complaint calls about marine violations. More than half of the calls received by the division are about jet skis. They frequently involve jet skis that are operating too close to docks, or loitering around the docks of private homes.

"Safety is our biggest priority. The most common offenses that we see - and we try to nip them right away - have to do with jet skis," said Richards. "The 100-foot rule states that you can't pass within 100 feet of a dock, a person in the water, a swim area or a moored, anchored or drifting vessel. It applies to both boats and jet skis, but we see violations most often with jet skis."

Every year, reckless or careless operation of jet skis results in broken bones and other injuries to riders and damage to property on our lake.

"We see a lot of accidents," Richards said. "Kids will get disoriented. They'll have two jet skis out and one will be running doughnuts around the other and they'll collide, or they'll run into a boat. We already had one this year where the driver had to have 14 stitches in his chin. That's why we really try to enforce that 100-foot rule."

Anyone born after Dec 31, 1979 is required to take and pass a boater safety course to legally operate a jet ski or a personal watercraft. Despite training and precautions, accidents do happen. But sometimes violations are not accidental, and endanger birds and animals that make their home on the lake.

"There's a law that states you can't chase or harass wildlife," Richards said. "It's mostly kids on jet skis who do this. I always try to explain that it's not only against the law, but also, why would you want to scare and possibly hurt these animals?"

Jet skis and go-fast (cigarette) boats have changed the meaning of recreational boating. While speed and the roar of an engine spell excitement to some, others cite safety concerns, nuisance and excessive noise.

"We do take the noise very seriously," said Richards. "We don't want it to get to a point where it's out of control. The people who live around the lake deserve to enjoy their property."

Although excessive noise and speed levels are restricted, the laws pertaining to boating and recreational activities on Lake Charlevoix are primarily focused on maintaining a safe environment for all participants.

"But noise levels do concern us," said Richards. "The problem is that it's difficult to enforce. When someone calls in a complaint, the hard part is catching an offender." Richards explained that, while the technology used to measure the decibel level of watercraft is available, it's also expensive.

"We don't have the meters, but we do stop (boaters) for excessive noise," Richards said. "Most times, it's with your cigar-type boats that you hear that exhaust. We ask them to be respectful of the people on the lake. We try to give a warning first, unless it's blatant or deliberate."

According to Richards, nearly everyone he stops is happy to oblige.

"Most have an exhaust system, but they open the flaps and make it loud," Richards said.

"It's a matter of telling them, 'Hey, don't do that.' Most are really apologetic. They don't want to bother people and they comply. The majority are really nice people who are out trying to enjoy the day and have fun."

If a loud engine complaint is received, marine patrol officers try to find the boat and assess the reason for the noise.

"If they don't have an exhaust, that's illegal. That's something we can write them up for," Richards said. "And we do check on every call. We don't always find them, but we do always try."

Conversely, there is a popular summer activity that celebrates the rumble. A two-day event that showcases the immense power, and high top-speed of cigarette boats, the 7th annual Boyne Thunder Poker Run was run July 9-10. A field of more than 30 entrants ran a course beginning and ending in Boyne City that included stops in Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor. Seventy percent of the profit from the event goes to Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer. Proceeds from Boyne Thunder totaling $160,000 have been contributed to the non-profit camp in the past six years.

"Boyne Thunder is a significant event for the community," said Hugh Conklin, manager of Boyne City Main Street Program. "Certainly the sheriff's office and the DNR are involved during the weekend, but we have a lot of volunteers out on the lake, too, in case of a break-down."

"There are people who don't like the noise," said Boyne City Harbor Master Barb Brooks. "But for most of the people visiting, it's exciting. The kids love it. They're drawn to it."

"On holidays, we don't get a ton of noise complaints," said Richards. "During Boyne Thunder, we do."

Calls also come in about boaters trespassing on private property.

"If they're in the water, it's a civil trespass. We can't make them move unless they're blocking access to the owner's dock or boat, or blocking the use of their beach," Richards said. "The biggest problem is when people drop anchor and swim up onto someone's beach." Richards suggests that anyone with a concern or complaint about activities on the lake call 9-1-1 to be put in touch with a marine deputy.

"Downstate there are different numbers for everything," Richard said, "but up here it's just 9-1-1. It is helpful if people call to report whatever concern they have. They just have to call 9-1-1 and state the reason for the call. They'll be directed to us."