What you need to know before you hit the water this boating season

BARREN RIVER LAKE, Ky. – While the wind may be whipping, the warm weather is signifying a beginning to a season that many people look forward to.

Boating season is here, and many people have already taken the time to uncover their boats and hit the water. But before you do, there are some checks you need to make sure you do first.

“The first thing that we see when we go out on Memorial Day weekend is somebody who just got this boat or haven’t had it out for the winter, and they don’t have their safety equipment. So the first thing you need to do before you take off from home, make sure that you have all that required safety equipment,” said Barren River Lake park ranger Holly Myers.

This includes a horn of some kind, a working fire extinguisher, a fitted life jacket and a type four personal flotation device, which is used to throw out to someone who may be struggling in the water. Myers says that those flotation devices are the most important.

“Most people that have drowned weren’t even expecting to be in the water that day. So and it happens very quickly,” Myers said.

Even with the safety equipment, it is important to pay attention to other boaters, swimmers and even debris in the water as lower water levels, like we are seeing now, can cause unexpected hazards in the water.

“During low water levels, like we have now, we’re still about 14 feet down from our summer pool level. So absolutely, you’re going to see more snags sticking up out of the water, debris that you may not, be expecting to be there. So, yeah, just an awareness of of your surroundings and caution. Obviously, people come out here sometimes and we say they they forget, their brains. Sometimes they come out here to, relax, have fun, and we want you to do that. You just have to be safe about it and be smart,” Myers said.

Meyers also wants to remind voters that similar laws that apply to cars can also apply to boats, so drinking while boating is a dangerously bad idea that can result is serious repercussions.