Safe boating week at Smith Mountain Lake

WSLS Channel 10
Published: May 19, 2008

National Boat Safety Week begins May 17, just one week before Memorial Day Weekend, a time when more boats are out in the water.

On Saturday, boats of all sizes were back for another season at Smith Mountain Lake. Karl Martin is the Game Warden District Supervisor for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Before you go in the water, he says there’s a new law.

“Take a safety boating course. There’s ample opportunity for anyone interested to take advantage what’s offered around Smith Mountain Lake. There are courses weekly,” he said.

Martin says it’s something every boater, regardless of his or her age, is supposed to have by the year 2016.

As he patrols the lake he’s looking to see if you’ve got the required equipment.

“Check to see if you’ve got a fire extinguisher that works or in the event a boat is 26 feet long, or longer, you’d have two,” Martin said.

You should also have life jackets and throw cushions on your boat. Martin says you should check your life jackets to make sure they are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Also, keep an eye on the no-wake zone. If you go too fast there, you could get a ticket.

Another word of advice from Martin- check inventory on your boat.

“Everyone should check their equipment each time they go out but especially in the spring if they haven’t used their boat for the season,” he said.

It’s something that could save you the ticket and possibly your life.

Although people of all ages should have taken a boating safety course by 2016, the law is dividing the requirement into age categories. For more information on the laws for boating safety courses, visit a link on http://www.wsls.com.