It's Memorial Day weekend, a pretty busy time for most businesses. With the great weather we're expecting, businesses on the water hope to be packed.
There's one part of Michiana that's going to be extra busy, but the crowds won't be out on the water.
For boaters, it's the best time of year. Time to put the boat in. But this year is a little different. Marina manager Brian Dwan says the big weekend this year, isn't on the water it's at the Senior PGA Tournament.
"Most people are worried about the PGA, and worried about where they can park and where they can go," says Dwan. "So I think we're going to have a slow weekend, because of the PGA is taking up all the parking and making it difficult to get down here."
Dwan says a typical Memorial Day has most of the boats in. Not this year. He says there are about 40 boats in drydock right now, when usually this time of year there are only about ten.
Even Coast Guard Executive Petty Officer Steven Ruh says it's not going to be your typical Memorial Day Weekend out on the water. "We're not sure if the golf tournament may keep some boaters from the water," said Petty Officer Ruh.
But, either way, they'll be ready. Ruh says a crew is always on duty, and others are on standby.
The die-hard boaters are itching to get in the water. For them, the calendar beats out Mother Nature. "Everybody usually tries to get in by this big weekend, it's the big weekend all the boaters try to get in the water and they're all excited to go."
If you do head out on the water this weekend here are some tips from the Coast Guard. Boaters remember, all boats need life jackets. Kayakers and paddle boarders need them too, and make sure you stay out of the swim zones
Swimmers are going to want to keep an eye on the waves. The bigger the waves, the stronger the undertow.
For anyone out on the water, remember that just because it's hot outside, doesn't mean that water has warmed up. It may be in the 90's on land but the water is still in the 50's.
