Skip to main content
You are the owner of this article.
You have permission to edit this article.
Edit

Boaters urged to stay clear of tows on the Mississippi River

  • 0

00:00 00:00

spaceplay / pause

qunload | stop

ffullscreen

shift + slower / faster

volume

mmute

seek

 . seek to previous

126 seek to 10%, 20% … 60%

X
Color Settings
  • Aa
  • Aa
  • Aa
  • Aa
Text
Background
Font Settings
Size
||
Type
Opacity Settings
Text
Background
Reset

WINONA COUNTY, Minn. (WXOW) – With summer boating season underway, multiple area law enforcement agencies are went to social media to remind the public of river safety. 

On Thursday, The Winona County Sheriff’s Office reminded recreational boaters to stay alert, especially when navigating near commercial traffic.

According to the sheriff’s office, commercial tows can require up to 1.5 miles to come to a full stop.

That means a person who falls from a jet ski or small boat near a tow has less than a minute to get out of harm’s way.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER REMINDERS_VO GFX_00.00.12.26.jpg

Unlike smaller vessels, commercial tows cannot leave the main channel of the river. Officials are urging boaters to follow key safety tips, including:

  • Avoid boating at night—towboat lights can be spaced a quarter mile apart.

  • Stay clear of parked barges, especially upstream.

  • Never anchor in the channel or tie off to navigation buoys.

  • Be aware: If you can’t see the towboat’s pilot house, the captain can’t see you.

  • Know the signals—five short whistle blasts mean immediate danger.

  • Keep clear of propeller turbulence and blind spots near the barges.

For more river safety information, visit the Minnesota DNR’s Mississippi River Guide.

Have a story idea? Let us know here

Watch more on WXOW wherever you are 

There are plenty of ways to get the latest content from WXOW. You can find us on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms so you can watch us anytime! Enjoy livestreaming newscasts or replays of our latest news along with some of our signature content such as the Jefferson Awards plus the latest weather and local sports. 

Find WXOW on Roku here or by searching for WXOW in the Roku Channel Store.

Find WXOW for Fire TV here or searching for WXOW in the Amazon App Store. 

Add the WXOW app for Apple TV through the Apple App Store. 

Use this link to find out more about all the WXOW apps available.