WV DNR preaching boat safety this Memorial Day Weekend
HINTON, WV (WVNS) – Warm temperatures and sunny days are the perfect weather for a nice boat ride on the lake. While boating may be a fun activity for friends and family, just like driving a car, driving a boat comes with its own set of risks.
According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, in West Virginia, there are 21 lakes over 100 acres in size that encompass 20,118 acres of fishable and boatable waters.
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That is a lot of water for thousands of West Virginia residents to explore and enjoy.
Just as drivers have dangers on the highway, boaters have similar dangers on the water.
Sergeant Bob Johnson with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, said from his experience, the most common issues are caused by careless boaters.
“Yeah, reckless operation is when they’re out there and they are operating unsafely, high rate of speeds with passengers upfront, creating wakes that shouldn’t be. Then you got the personal watercraft people who try to ride behind the boat in the wake and that’s against the law also,” said Sergeant Johnson.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources patrol the waters of the Mountain State to make sure boat drivers are following laws and rules.
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It is essential for all boats to be equipped with safety equipment in case of emergencies.
Sergeant Johnson says there are certain safety devices that are required to be on every boat.
“Anyone under 13 that’s in a boat that’s underway, means moving, they have to wear a personal floatation device and a lot of people don’t know what that means and that’s a life jacket. Everybody has to have a life jacket or personal floatation device in the boat that fits them,” said Sergeant Johnson to 59News.
The dangers of boating are just as real as the dangers of driving a vehicle. With summer on the way, it is vital to be cautious while you are out on the water.
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