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Missouri Water Patrol to beef-up its force

With two deaths already, it's a dangerous summer on the Lake of the Ozarks. Megan Clarke tells us how the Missouri Water Patrol plans to increase the force.

The statistics send mixed signals: two more deaths this year than last, but fewer boat collisions.

Missouri Water Patrol Captain Hans Huenicks:

IT'S ALWAYS A LITTLE SURPRISING BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR PARTICULARLY AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS THE NUMBER OF BOATS INCREASES.

What's clear is that eight officers patrol the Lake of the Ozarks shoreline, which is the size of California' coastline.

Huenicks says the patrol is adding more officers next year and expects a substancial amount to enter the academy in January.

With two deaths already on Lake of the Ozarks and more traffic, the Missouri Water Patrol is beefing up its force. Megan Clarke reports.

With more development and more boaters, the popularity of the Lake of the Ozarks is growing. The challenge is only eight officers patrol a shoreline the size of California's coastline.

Water Patrol Captain Hans Huenicks:

THERE ARE MORE BOATERS OUT THERE EVERY YEAR. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING BUT IT CERTAINLY CREATES CHALLENGES FOR THOSE IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY FIELD.

The past legislature approved adding more water patrol officers.

Huenick says the patrol expects a substancial amount to enter the academy in January.