DNR, Rangers Out on Lake This Weekend Looking for Impaired Boaters

Lake Hartwell is expected to be awash with visitors this July 4th weekend.

And officers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with Rangers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be out in force looking for impaired boaters and making sure everyone has a safe and fun holiday.

Georgia ranks sixth in the nation for boating fatalities, with 85 boating mishaps resulting in 22 deaths statewide last year, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

And with the July 4th weekend now upon us, DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum has some common sense boating safety tips.

Fulghum says first and foremost never operate a boat while under the influence.

“When you’ve got warm weather and a full pool lake, that means a busy lake,” Fulghum said. “The Georgia DNR Law Enforcement wants to remind people to make sure you have a designated boat driver. Georgia has a zero tolerance policy for boating under the influence. We want the public to go out and have a good time, but make sure they do it in a safe and responsible manner.”

Over the Memorial Day Holiday, two people were injured after running their speed boat onto the rip rap near Big Oaks Recreation Area during the night.

The driver was cited for BUI.

Another way to make sure everyone on board your boat is safe, is to make sure they are all wearing life jackets.

And he reminds boaters that in Georgia, state law requires children to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.

“Children under the age of 13 must have a life jacket on at all times while the boat is in motion. And make sure it fits properly. Also, make sure you have enough life jackets for everyone on board and you are within the carrying capacity for that boat,” Fulghum said.

Now if you don’t have life jackets or enough life jackets for your boat, the DNR and the Corps of Engineers offer free life jackets to borrow for the day.

They’re located at the Tugaloo State Park Mega Ramp.

Finally, Fulghum reminds boaters and users of personal water craft to be considerate of those living on the lake.

Fulghum says one of the biggest issues he deals with on Lake Hartwell during the summer months are violations of the 100-ft rule.

“You must maintain a 100-ft distance from the shoreline. That applies to any developed shoreline, any man made structures, anyone swimming in the lake, swimming areas, and all boats on the lake. If you go inside that 100-ft distance you must operate your boat in idle speed or less,” Fulghum said.

To learn more about safe boating and to take an online boating safety class, you can go to the DNR Web site at: www.goboatgeorgia.com.