Extra patrols on the water Memorial Day weekend

Tools

Associated Press

Story Created: Sat May 26, 2012 1:43 PM

Story Updated: Sat May 26, 2012 1:43 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is increasing its patrols for Memorial Day Weekend, the beginning of the summer boating season.

Agents will be checking to make sure that boaters have proper safety equipment and paperwork and aren't overdoing the drinking.
Betsy Woods, boating safety education coordinator for the TWRA, told The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/LE6ZY8) the agency plans to focus on life jackets this summer, with a campaign called "Wear It Tennessee."
While boats require a life jacket to at least be available for every person on board, Woods said the state is hoping that people will actually wear those life jackets.
Patrols also will focus on drunken boaters with an national campaign beginning in June called "Operation Dry Water" that will involve extra patrols and floating sobriety checkpoints.
___
Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com