GA DNR Will Be Looking For Impaired Boaters This Holiday Weekend

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is upon us and visitors to Lake Hartwell are looking forward to a long weekend of fun on the water.

That’s why the Georgia Department of Natural Resources wants everyone to remember a few simple safety measures to ensure you and your loved ones have a great and safe holiday.

DNR Law Enforcement officer Craig Fulghum says he and fellow DNR officers will be out on the water next weekend checking boating registrations and looking for impaired boaters.

Georgia has a zero-tolerance for impaired boating, and if caught you will go to jail.
Fulghum recommends that, just as you have a designated driver when drinking on land, you have a “designated skipper” if you plan to have alcohol on your boat.

Another important safety issue on the water is the use of life jackets.
Georgia law requires there to be enough life jackets for everyone on board.

And a reminder to parents that it is now law in Georgia that all young people onboard your boat that were born after 1998 have a boater education license with them.

A free boater education safety course is available online at: https://www.boat-ed.com/georgia/