The reverberations of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March are being felt today at the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

As Memorial Day weekend ignites the summer boating season, Marine Division Commander Lt. Brian Barlog is still trying to obtain leases for two personal watercraft for his deputies and reserve officers to use for patrolling Lake St. Clair and its contributories. But none are yet available as he has to compete with other law enforcement agencies for the limited supply of small vessels manufactured by companies such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda, which have slowed production due to the twin disasters.

“We’re hoping we can get them in a couple of weeks,” Barlog said Friday.

Barlog said the delay has slightly hampered but certainly not put a stop to enforcement since the division has a half-dozen other boats. But those smaller watercraft may prevent some probing into the nooks and crannies of the local waterways.