As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is reminding boaters to prioritize safety on the water. With eight fatal boating incidents already reported in Tennessee this year, TWRA emphasizes the importance of responsible boating practices to prevent further tragedies .

Key Boating Safety Tips from TWRA

• Enroll in a Boating Safety Course: Whether you’re new to boating or an experienced operator, taking a safety course can provide valuable knowledge and on-water experience.

• Inspect Your Equipment: Before heading out, schedule a free vessel safety check with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to ensure all essential equipment is present and in good working condition.

• Develop a Float Plan: Inform someone on shore about your trip itinerary, including details about the operator, passengers, boat type, and communication equipment on board.

• Wear Life Jackets: Ensure that everyone on board wears a life jacket at all times. Stowed life jackets are ineffective in emergencies.

• Use an Engine Cut-Off Device: This device can stop the boat’s engine if the operator unexpectedly falls overboard, enhancing safety for everyone on board.

• Monitor Weather Conditions: Always check the forecast before and during your boating excursion to avoid unexpected weather hazards.

• Stay Alert and Maintain Proper Lookout: Operator inattention or improper lookout contributed to nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year.

• Know Your Route and Adhere to Speed Limits: Familiarize yourself with the area, observe local boating speed zones, and always travel at a safe speed.

• Avoid Boating Under the Influence: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.

• Maintain Communication: Carry more than one communication device that functions when wet, such as VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, or waterproof cell phones.

Lt. Col. Matt Majors of TWRA’s Boating and Law Enforcement Division urges all boaters to remain vigilant: “Our waterways are enjoyed by all types of vessels, both small and large. Please maintain a proper lookout at all times and ensure alcohol and drugs are not part of your float plan.”

For more information and resources on boating safety, visit the TWRA website or contact your local boating authority.

Stay safe and enjoy your time on the water this Memorial Day weekend!