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DNR officers discuss boat safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is reminding people to be safe when operating their boats on the state’s waterways.

DNR officers held a press conference on the bank of the Kanawha River to remind boaters of important safety tips while on the water, including safety equipment maintenance, boat operation and the risks of drinking while driving.

Conservation officer Brett Chandler said one of its biggest concerns is making sure people have life jackets on board and ready to use if needed. A jacket must be available for every passenger.

“People will keep them all in the bags and they don’t have them readily accessible,” he said. “You can have them under your seat or something, but as long as they are out of the bags. That is how it has to be.”

Chandler said he has heard parents discuss how children hate wearing life jackets, but that is not an excuse; according to state law, children under the age of 12 years old must have a life jacket on at all times.

Chandler said Charleston has been fortunate in only having “one or two” accidents per year on the Kanawha River, but drivers must be on alert when operating their watercraft.

“We’ll have a lot of people who’ll anchor up on the channel,” he said. “You have to keep this channel open because you also have commercial traffic coming through. These barges don’t stop like these little boats can. They take a long time to stop and they have the right of way to come through here.”

Chandler also said drivers need to be careful when drinking alcohol, as boats do not operate the same as cars. Outdoor factors, including the sun, can also impact how alcohol affects one’s body.

Anyone born after 1986 is required to take a boater safety certification class to operate a boat. The course is available online or through the Department of Natural Resources.

For more information, visit www.wvdnr.org.





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