Georgia officials urge boaters to put safety first during busy Fourth of July weekend

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — With one of the busiest boating weekends of the year underway, Georgia wildlife officials are urging people to make safety their top priority before heading out on the state’s lakes.

Boaters at Lake Allatoona were already launching their vessels Thursday, getting an early start on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, when thousands are expected to take to Georgia’s waterways to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.

“It’s already crazy out here on a regular weekend, and the Fourth of July weekend is nuts,” said boater Greg Iacono.

Before helping his son launch the boat, Iacono shared some advice for staying safe on the water.

“The way I say it is you’ve got to keep your head on a swivel,” he said. “You have to look, look and look around — backward and forward.”

For many families, preparation starts before leaving the dock.

“Safety is my number one priority on this thing,” said boater Arman Momin. “He doesn’t have a life jacket, and he said I can go without my life jacket, and I said no, you need your life jacket.”

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will have game wardens patrolling lakes throughout the holiday weekend as part of increased enforcement efforts. Officers will be watching for impaired boaters and other dangerous behavior, reminding the public that boating under the influence carries many of the same penalties as driving under the influence.

Game Warden Duncan Wood also warned boaters to be alert for floating debris left behind by recent weather.

“There have been a bunch of debris like sticks and logs floating, so again make sure that you are paying attention if you are the operator and don’t hit them,” Wood said. “If you are going fast, it could damage your boat and injure people.”

Georgia law requires children younger than 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while aboard a moving boat unless they are inside a fully enclosed cabin. Boaters are also required to carry enough life jackets for every person on board.

Boaters say remaining alert is especially important as personal watercraft increase on busy holiday weekends.

“The jet skis concern me a little bit,” said Alex Iacono. “They weave in and out, go in front of your boat, go behind your boat, jump your wake, so it’s good to stay on top of that.”

Wildlife officials encourage boaters to wear life jackets, designate a sober operator, obey no-wake zones and stay aware of changing conditions to help ensure everyone returns home safely after the holiday weekend.