CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Boating safety is on the forefront of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ minds as summer approaches.
DNR Police Sgt. Dakota Chattin told MetroNews that almost every officer from the agency is out on the water over Memorial Day weekend.
“We have multiple boats laid out across the state, just about every major body of water is going have a DNR patrol on it,” Chattin said.
Chattin encouraged those going out on the water, especially those on the river, to stay alert. He said there are many dangers that can occur, especially if a boat is in the middle of a channel.
“Not just with barges,” Chattin said. “We really want to hammer down that people need to be mindful of their environment, and what’s going on around them. These barges at night, they’re hard to see sometimes. If anyone’s ever been out on the water late at night, those barges are like trains. They have a hard time stopping and they’re not lit up very well.”
Boating safety falls upon the individuals on the water, Chattin said.
“There’s no lines, there’s no brakes on boats, there’s no stoplights, and a lot of people don’t think about that when it comes to boating,” Chattin explained. “You just have open water, and there’s not really traffic signals out there.”
Red and green lights are required on the front of boats. This becomes especially important at night, Chattin said, so that others on the water can see which direction a boat is moving. Chattin said many people forget to check their lights before going out on the water.
“If it’s dark out and you see the green light and the white light, you know you’re looking at that boat’s starboard [right] side,” Chattin said. “That’s the purpose of the light.”
If boaters see the red light, Chattin said, they know they are looking at the port — left — side of the other vessel. Additionally, he explained that blue lights are illegal on the front of boats — as they cover up the red and green navigational lights.
Light pollution impacts water safety. Chattin said docking lights are illegal as well, because they give the appearance of a vehicle. Chattin warned a deadly misconception could occur from those lights being used — another boat may believe the lights are from a car on the bank, in actuality it’s another boat on the water.
Etiquette remains important to maintain safe conditions, day and night. Chattin implored boaters to honk their horn when they pass another vessel, and if they see someone coming, give them plenty of room and slow down.
Normal passing rules are to go on a vessel’s right side, Chattin said, but each situation is unique. Chattin said slowing down and being mindful are two keys to remember.
Chattin noted that barges churn up material, large and small, from the bottom of a river as they move. He said a lot of people don’t realize that, and try dangerous stunts like leaping over a barge’s wake.
“There’s a lot of things that can be construed as reckless operation,” Chattin said. “Jumping the wake from barges would be pretty easy to construe that as reckless.”
Jetski safety is another big-ticket item. Chattin reminded people that jetskis have to be off the water by dark and riders must wear life jackets. Additionally, Chattin said jetskis require a kill switch attached.
“That’s something that, I can speak for most officers, we really have no nonsense with that one,” Chattin said. “When you fall off it, that thing is going to keep going.”
Chattin said above all, those on the water should remain vigilant this weekend and throughout the summer.
MetroNews reporter Chris Lawrence contributed to this story.