Boaters watched closely on Geist Reservoir

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - One popular spot with boaters, swimmers and law enforcement is Geist Reservoir.

Fishers Fire and Police departments have a new tool at their disposal to monitor folks on the water: a 27-foot boat called the Geist Guardian.

The boat is equipped to perform firefighting capabilities, dive procedures and advanced infrared/sonar search and rescue operations.

One main concern is boating while intoxicated. As in a car, police perform the same tests to determine sobriety, like breathalyzers and field sobriety tests.

If a person registers above the state’s legal limit of .08, the penalties are the same as while driving, including driver’s license suspension and jail time.

While police will be watching folks closely, they encourage parents to do the same with their kids, including:

• Never leave children alone near water
• Teach children to ask permission before going in or near water
• Never leave a child's safety around water in the hands of another child
• Have children wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest

Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources reports staggering number of open water deaths already this year, including two children last weekend.

In 2012, 18 open-water deaths have been reported. In 2011, the DNR reported 46 open-water deaths; 6 were kids under age 13. In 2010, the total number was 42.