Local officials urge boaters to prepare before hitting the water as warmer weather arrives

HUTCHINSON COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — National Safe Boating Week is observed May 17-23. Warmer weather means it’s the unofficial start of boating season, and that means more boaters weather there from the state of Texas or from out of state are going to be coming here to put their boats on the water.

“Learn to operate your vessel, if you're new to it, take it out when it’s not quite as busy,” said Eric Smith, parks superintendent. “The boat is not going to stop on a dime, that’s something you have to remember, you’re not driving a car.”

It’s always best to prep your boat and complete a checklist before you put your boat on the launch ramp that way you don’t hold up the line.

“And you take care of your cables on the back and take care of all your stuff situated from the car to the boat,” said Blair Wright, maintenance manager at Wright-On Bait & Tackle. “Make sure you have all your safety equipment in place before going into the water, and don’t forget your drain plug.”

Depending on how many people you have on your boat requires how many lifejackets and they have to be properly fitting while on your boat out on the lake.

“You know things like having a signaling device like a whistle or a horn, also having a lanyard, a safety lanyard for your power vessels that’s connected to a kill switch that’s required to be worn,” said Smith. “If you’re on a personal watercraft, you have to have a lifejacket on at all times.”

“There will be quite a bit of congestion, especially with upcoming weekends throughout the summer,” said Wright. “Always be mindful of the markers on the lake. There are a number of slow-no-wake buoys out there for a reason, please be mindful of those. This is for safety and to keep others and to keep yourself safe.”

It never hurts to double-check the weather before you go out on a lake and while you’re out on the lake before crossing to return to the boat ramp.

On average, around 650 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the U.S. 75% of those are fatalities caused by drowning, with many accidents caused by human error or poor judgment.