ALEA’s Secretary Hal Taylor said, “The last thing we want to do is take the fun out of the Fourth. We ask boaters of all ages to work with us to ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day, particularly following fireworks displays planned on several of the state’s more popular waterways.”

Troopers encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the following water safety tips prior to leaving for the lake, beach or other water destination:

• The designated driver practice works just as well on the water as it does on the road. If
boaters insist on having alcohol on board, make sure there is a designated driver.
• Be courteous and cautious.
• Follow boating rules. Know what to do in a head-to-head meeting and know the right-ofway rules and regulations.
• Make sure life jackets are accessible, in good condition, sized for the intended individual
and U.S. Coast Guard-approved. There must be one personal flotation device (PFD) on
board for each person on the boat that is sized and intended for that individual. Children
younger than the age of 8 must wear PFDs.
• Keep an eye on the sky: Monitor local weather throughout the day and adjust plans
accordingly.
• Give other boaters plenty of room. Don’t operate too closely to private docks or the
shoreline and give skiers and swimmers a wide berth.
• Never overload a vessel. Follow the capacity plate guidelines.
• Make it a habit to check the vessel’s safety equipment before using the vessel — every
time.

Another key safety tip concerns boating at night, which often is the case on the Fourth of July because of fireworks displays on or near the water. When boating at night, make sure the required navigation lights are on and in good working order. Operate at slower speeds and don’t
venture into unfamiliar territory.