Watching fireworks on the water is "awesome," but ignoring the rules can spoil the holiday

MILWAUKEE -- The water would be a popular spot Sunday, July 3rd ahead of and during the spectacular US Bank Fireworks Show -- and that meant an increased law enforcement presence.

Rodger Droukas

Watching the fireworks show on dry land is great -- but Rodger Droukas prefers the water.

"Awesome. You get all the boats all around you and you get the big booms and you get lots of reflections from the lights. It's really awesome," Droukas said.

Rodger Droukas

Droukas and friends went fishing Sunday morning -- but they planned to return for the show.

"You get right up close," Droukas said.

By 9:00 a.m. Sunday, the docks at McKinley Marina looked like an interstate toll booth.

"It gets absolutely crazy down here," David Halter said.

That's where Milwaukee police came in. MPD was one of a half-dozen agencies patrolling Lake Michigan during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

"Obviously the worst thing you can do is be impaired while you are driving a boat at any speed," Arthur Kleist with MPD's Harbor Patrol said.

MPD's Harbor Patrol worked alongside the Milwaukee Fire Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office and the United States Coast Guard.

"We will just stop boaters at random to do a random safety check and ensure they have all the required gear on board," Eric Hopperdietzel with the Coast Guard said.

With so many people on the water for the big fireworks show, officials encouraged everyone to wear a life jacket -- even if it's not mandated for adults.

"When something happens on the water, it could take some time. On the water it may take longer," Kleist said.

Droukas said ignoring the rules can definitely spoil the holiday.

"Make sure you have your flares, your flags, your whistle. Got to have all your life jackets, your throwables," Droukas said.

And just like on the road, on the water, the legal limit is .08.

Lake Michigan is federal water -- so there are additional rules.

CLICK HERE for a handbook of Wisconsin Boating Laws and Regulations from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Operation Dry Water -- and take a pledge to never boat while impaired.

U.S. Bank fireworks show