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July 4th Safety with Marine Patrol

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Courtesy and Caution: How to Be a Great Lake Martin Boater This Holiday

by Jamie Burnett

ALEA Marine Patrol Safety

With the holiday crowds coming to Lake Martin, the Alabama Marine Patrol is encouraging everyone to focus on courtesy, caution, and safety. These reminders are more than just rules they are how we all keep Lake Martin fun and safe for every family.  

All available sworn personnel will be on duty during the July 4th holiday period to patrol over 1 million acres of public waters available for recreational use in the state of Alabama, including the coastal waters and popular destination lakes such as Guntersville Lake, Smith Lake and Lake Martin.

Courtesy on the Water: It Starts With You

Being a courteous boater is about thinking beyond your own boat. It means looking out for everyone, from the families enjoying a day on the lake to the paddlers and swimmers near the shore. Marine Patrol is asking everyone to emphasize courtesy and wake awareness. Your actions affect others, so please show respect by controlling your speed and your wake, especially near docks, other boats, and people in the water.

Be mindful of other boaters at all times. Avoid passing too closely to boats in motion, boats at idle, or anyone swimming. Large wakes can damage property.

Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions

One of the biggest causes of accidents on the lake is operator distraction. The captain of any vessel should be focused completely on where the boat is going. Avoid distractions from cell phones, GPS units, music, conversations, pets, passengers, or anything else that can pull your eyes away from the water ahead. Even a split second of inattention can lead to a collision or a dangerous situation.

Know the Law

If you’re boating on Lake Martin, Smith Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Wedowee, or Shoal Creek, make sure you are familiar with proximity laws and wake sport regulations. The Proximity law requires idle speed within 100’ of any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse or other structure, including bridges.  It also prohibits wakeboarding and wakesurfing within 200 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse or other structure and in areas less than 400′ wide.   Additional provisions of the bill restrict water sport activities between sunset and sunrise and require a United States Coast Guard Approved Flotation Device.

Lake Martin Tees

Life Jackets Save Lives

Operators must have a coast guard approved life jacket for all passengers and ensure their passengers know where PFDs are kept and how to use them. Children under 8 must wear life jackets at all times unless they are inside a fully enclosed cabin. If you are being towed on water skis, tubes, or similar devices, a proper life jacket is required. Competition ski vests are not approved and are not allowed.

Boating Safety Lake Martin

Image by Melody Rathel

Paddle Sports Count

Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are all considered vessels under Alabama law. Each person on board must have a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and kids under 8 must be wearing one at all times. If you’re paddling, consider taking a paddle-sports safety class. Always let someone know your float plan and keep a cell phone and flashlight with you.

Don’t Drink and Boat

Boating under the influence can be deadly.  Marine Patrol strongly urges everyone to avoid drinking alcohol while operating a boat, or to use a designated operator who stays sober. Sun, wind, and the lake already cause “boater fatigue,” which slows your reaction time. Alcohol only makes it worse and increases the risk for everyone on the water.

Keep an Eye on Capacity and Seating

Never overload your boat. Follow your vessel’s capacity plate for weight and number of people. All passengers should be securely seated inside the boat when under way, with legs and arms inside the rails.  This includes personal watercraft. If it’s rated for three people that includes anyone on a towable. 

Boating at Night and Towing

Avoid boating at night unless you know the lake well. Use all navigation lights and operate at a safe, reduced speed. When towing people on tubes or skis, pick calm open water with light traffic, and avoid crowding into small areas. Driving with your docking lights on at night will blind other boaters and interfere with navigation lights. 

Let’s Make This the Safest and Most Courteous Holiday Yet

The Marine Patrol want every trip to Lake Martin to be remembered for the right reasons. Courtesy, caution, and attention go a long way toward making sure everyone enjoys the holiday safely. Respect other boaters, know and follow the rules, and always be alert. We’re all in this together—let’s look out for each other and make Lake Martin the friendliest lake in Alabama.

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Disclaimer:
This blog post contains references to laws and regulations that may change over time. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content at the time you read it. For the most current legal information and updates, please visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s official website at alea.gov.

WSIA Wake Responsibly

Disclaimer:
This article contains references to laws and regulations that may change over time. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content at the time you read it. For the most current legal information and updates, please visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s official website at alea.gov.

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