Northeast Georgia has an abundance of lakes. It’s part of the region’s charm and risk. As we enter the summer months, and in particular, a very crowded holiday weekend on area lakes, public safety officials encourage people to be cautious of the dangers that come with water activities.
PFDs
Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) that properly fits is essential when enjoying the water. This includes boating, swimming, and enjoying jet skis. Wearing a PFD helps prevent potential drownings in the event an individual is thrown off of a moving vessel or experiences exhaustion from treading water.
Georgia law requires any child under the age of 13 to wear a PFD while on board any moving vessel in the water.
BUI and the 100-foot law
While drinking alcoholic beverages this summer, avoid operating any water vessels or swimming without a PFD.
“Boating under the influence puts everyone at risk,” stresses Hall County Fire Rescue spokesperson Kimberlie Ledsinger.
The Georgia Boat Safety Act prohibits anyone from operating any boat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard, or similar device while intoxicated, which for boating is a blood alcohol content of .08, or about four drinks.
Authorities observe a “zero tolerance” policy for boating under the influence (BUI). Game wardens will issue citations to anyone operating watercraft who is intoxicated.
When on the lake, boaters should follow the 100-foot law. This requires all operators of all kinds of boats to slow to idle speed when they are within 100 feet of docks, piers, bridges, shorelines, or people in the water.
Pay attention to surroundings. Distracted boating is as dangerous as distracted driving.
Additionally, stay hydrated. Keeping hydrated is vital for safety in and out of the water during hot Georgia summers.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources provides a set of safety and operational regulations to ensure that Georgia boaters enjoy the water while remaining safe. These rules can be found on the DNR website.
Increased patrols
Mark Mckinnon, public affairs officer for the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division, said game wardens will be out in full force on Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer enforcing safe boating laws.
“They’re not out there to ruin people’s fun. They’re really out there to make sure that everybody has a safe and fun summer out on the waterways,” McKinnon said. “We want them to be able to enjoy all the beautiful natural resources and lakes and rivers that we have here in Georgia, but we want them to do it safely.”
Hall County Fire Rescue’s Marine Rescue Team will have a presence on Lake Lanier between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. They will provide emergency medical services, fire suppression, surface water rescue, water safety education, and underwater search utilizing a remote-operated vehicle (ROV).
“Each day, the team will be present on the water from 10 a.m. until sunset, depending on lake traffic. While patrolling the waterways, the team will discuss and hand out water safety materials and messaging throughout the summer,” says Ledsinger.
Boaters should be aware of their surroundings, drink responsibly, and have all safety equipment ready.
