With summer weekends on the way, officials urge boating safety

With summer weekends right around the corner, including Memorial Day weekend coming up soon, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is urging folks to stay safe and sober while out on the lakes.

The tips for staying safe on area waterways are fairly straightforward—the first one is to wear a life jacket. Kentucky law requires each occupant of a boat to have ready access to a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that properly fits each person. Children younger than 12 must wear an appropriately fitting life jacket at all times while in the open portion of a boat that is underway.

If you’re boating, you should have a designated, sober driver, just like you do for operating a vehicle. Every year, alcohol is the leading cause of injuries and accidents on the water. Officials say to keep your head a swivel and stay aware of your surroundings while boating where it comes to the weather. Sudden storms or rough waters caused by high wind can cause plenty of hazards.

Waterbodies may be affected by low and high waters given weather conditions or engineering work, so boaters are advised to check the status of boat ramps before leaving the house.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife game wardens will be patrolling the state's waterways over Memorial Day weekend to check boaters for legal and safety considerations, including life jackets, boat registration, watercraft safety and possible impairment.