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.

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.