The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is encouraging boaters to be safe while enjoying the Chattahoochee River over Memorial Day weekend.
Corporal Mitch Oliver and Game Warden David Fisher share these safety tips:
- Stay aware of your surroundings while boating and following rules of the waterways
- Limit alcohol while operating a boat or have a designated driver (the same rules apply to driving a vessel as driving a car)
- Know the Georgia law for life jackets; anyone 13 or under must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while boating
- Obey the 100 foot law
- Stay weather aware
“Just like you would at any other event, out here on the water, these storms can blow up quickly and with these storms comes lighting even though it may not be raining here, lightning can still get you from a distance away and if you are on the water you’re just that much more of a target,” says Corporal Oliver.
Georgia DNR says they will be out in full force monitoring the waterways this holiday weekend.