Rough waters were credited for the increase in boats that participated in a free vessel safety check Sunday at Lake Havasu State Park, according to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member Arnold Vignoni.

The vessel check was hosted by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-2 in Lake Havasu City Sunday and drew about 10 boats — three times as many as last time.

The previous vessel check occurred the latter part of November 2009 and resulted in only three boats being checked.

“The windy weather kind of worked in our favor,” said Vignoni. “(Boaters) aren’t in a hurry to get out on the water and so they stopped to have their vessels checked,” he said Sunday following the five-hour safety inspection.

The individual inspections lasted about 10-15 minutes and included checking the vessel’s registration and identification numbers, checking the number and condition of flotation devices on board. An inventory of other safety equipment, a quick engine check and the boat’s navigation lights are also inspected.

The boaters who stopped to have their boats checked received free entry and boat launch for the day at Lake Havasu State Park.

They also received a goodie-bag filled with pamphlets including information about tri-state boating laws, quagga mussel infestation, carbon monoxide poisoning, personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers and a boating trail guide.

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.