Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober
Don’t become a bad holiday statistic

Don’t become a bad statistic this Labor Day weekend – boat safe, boat smart and boat sober.

Here are some weekend survival tips from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

* Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes.
* Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
* Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
* Keep in mind that alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
* Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
* Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
* Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
* Look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.
* Visit www.azgfd.gov/boating to view other boating regulations, too.

Also, before you leave the lake to go home, make sure there are not unwanted hitchhikers – you don’t want to move a mussel, golden algae or other invasive species. Please drain the water from the boat, livewell and lower unit, clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material, and dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends taking a boating safety class. Statistics show knowledgeable boaters are safe boaters.  Classes can be taken online at www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed or by calling (623) 236-7235 for a class near you.