Thousands of recreational boaters will head to Georgia's numerous lakes and waterways for a little relief from the heat during the long Fourth of July holiday. In an effort to keep boating accidents and boating under the influence (BUI) charges to a minimum, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) encourages boaters to act responsibly, to follow the rules of the road for boating, to designate a boat operator who will abstain from drinking alcohol, and to respect other boaters on the water during the holiday weekend.

“Georgia's waterways are becoming more crowded with boats and personal watercraft every year and the holiday weekends usually draw even larger crowds than usual,” says WRD Lt. Col. Bob Brown, Georgia's Boating Laws Administrator. “It is especially important that everyone on the water is aware of Georgia's boating laws and that they practice safe boat operation.”

Some of the laws that boat and personal watercraft operators should follow include:

People arrested for BUI may lose their boat operator privileges and these privileges are not reinstated until the successful completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Department of Human Resources.

Minimum age requirements have been established for boat operators under the age of 16, depending on the age of the boat operator and size of the vessel.

All vessels, including personal watercraft, may not operate in excess of idle speed within 100 feet of any vessel which is moored, anchored, or adrift outside normal traffic channels, or any wharf, dock, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, 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.

It is illegal to jump the wake of another boat within 100 feet and to buzz other boats. A vessel can no longer operate around or within 100 feet of another vessel faster than idle speed unless it is overtaking or meeting the other vessel in compliance with the rules of the road for boat operation. Boat operators cannot follow closely behind another vessel or change or reverse their course of direction in order to ride or jump in the wake of another vessel.

Boat operators age 16 or older must have identification on board. A clear photocopy of identification, such as a driver's license, showing a photograph of the person and his or her date of birth is acceptable.

“We want boaters to enjoy their time on the water, but we want them to be safe,” says Brown. “WRD Conservation Rangers will be out in force during the Fourth of July holiday, and they will be strictly enforcing all boating laws.”

In addition, WRD reminds boaters that Georgia law requires all boats, regardless of length, be equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. All boats 16 feet in length and longer, except kayaks and canoes, also must carry one throwable floatation device. Children under age 10 must wear a life jacket, which is properly fitted and fastened, at all times the boat is moving.

Adults are not required to wear a life jacket, but life jackets must be present and easily accessible for each person on the boat. These laws apply only to public waters, not to private ponds or lakes, but WRD recommends using life jackets at all times when on any body of water.

For more information on boating safety, contact the local WRD Law Enforcement Section or call (770) 918-6408.

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