Following are

boating and water safety tips to remember while enjoying the holiday:

There are

no "driving lanes" on the water, so boat operators need to be

educated on the "Rules of the Road" and be aware of all other

boat traffic in the area.

Wear your

life jacket.Nine out of 10 drowning victims did not.Children under 10

years of age are required by law to wear a life jacket while on board

a moving boat.

Don't drink

and operate a boat.Half of all boating fatalities involve alcohol.The

boat's movement, vibration, noise, sun, glare and wind often produce "boater's

hypnosis," so alcohol can affect people much more rapidly on the

water.Make sure someone refrains from drinking alcohol so they can safely

operate the boat.

Always use

navigation lights at all times on the water at night, whether the

boat is moving or anchored.Do not wait until dark to turn your lights

on to see if they are functioning properly.

Don't overload

your boat with people or equipment. Check the capacity plate on the boat

that indicates the maximum weight capacity or the maximum number of people

that the boat can safely carry.

Brush up on

your boating safety knowledge.Take a boating safety course.There are three

easy ways for boat operators to take a course in Georgia in a classroom,

on the Internet at www.boat-ed.com , or through a home study course

that can be ordered at www.boat-ed.com or by calling 1-800-460-9698.

Watch your

speed and don't jump wakes.The 100-foot law prohibits people from operating

all vessels, including PWCs, at a speed greater than idle speed

within 100 feet of any vessel that is moored, anchored, or adrift outside

normal traffic channels, or within 100 feet of any dock, wharf, pier,

piling, bridge structure, person in the water, or shoreline adjacent to

a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public

swimming area, marina, restaurant or other public use area.Jumping the

wake of another boat within 100 feet also is illegal.

Keep a sharp

lookout and make sure you stay well clear of other craft .

Know Georgia's

age requirements for PWC operation and don't lend your PWC to anyone underage.

Make sure

everyone who operates your PWC is aware of safe boating rules and knows

how to safely operate a PWC . As the owner, you could be held responsible.

For more information

on boating safety or how to take a boating safety course, visit www.goboatgeorgia.com

or contact the local WRD Law Enforcement Office.

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