Memorial Day On Kentucky Lake

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BOATING SEASON’S BIGGEST WEEKEND ARRIVES

By Steve McCadams

Expect the biggest crowd of the boating season to be out in force this weekend. The official kickoff of the summer boating season is here even though summer won’t arrive for another three weeks or so.

Warm weather has arrived and coincided with summer vacations from school days. That means tons of folks are anxious to get out and about as they’ve had a big dose of cabin fever now for more than a year!

More than a few are ready to put the Covid pandemic in the rearview mirror and get the tourist season going although it’s still wise to use common sense and realize limitations still exist.

From campers to hikers and water skiers to fishermen; an army of recreational users will be sharing the waterways these next few days so that means a crowded boat ramp and lake awaits you.

Pontoons, houseboats and big jet boats will be plowing the waters so wise are the lakers who anticipate big waves. If you plan to be out there in a small boat or a kayak then you best use extra caution and realize your limitations too!

Even a reservoir as big as Kentucky Lake can get crowded when special holiday weekends roll around. Especially busy with boating activity of all sorts will be the Paris Landing sector. The state park is a hub for boating traffic as its launch ramp and parking lot can indeed accommodate a huge number of folks.

This Memorial Day, the most popular boating holiday of the year, there likely will be more first-time boat owners on the water than any other year in history!

Why? Because people looking for socially distanced family fun drove record sales as more than 415,000 first-time boat owners bought in 2020 (per Info-Link and US Coast Guard). Because of this, the Water Sports Foundation, funded by a grant from the US Coast Guard, is encouraging safety training.

According to 2019 U.S. Coast Guard figures, 70% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no safety instruction. Conversely, only 20% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate. Even so, per U.S. Coast Guard statistics, boating is still safer than walking down the street.

With new and used boat sales soaring to record highs in 2020 to first-time boat buyers, boating safety stakeholders are taking extra measures to communicate and promote safe boating messages prior to the busy Memorial Day holiday and the unofficial launch of the summer boating season.

“The pandemic literally saw hundreds of thousands of newcomers join the ranks of first-time boat owners, so we’re taking extra precautions to pro-actively share safe boating strategies,” said Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. “We’ve identified a dozen top tips for keeping boaters safe that we believe can positively impact boater safety while maximizing enjoyment on the nation’s waterways over this holiday season, and beyond.”

The Foundation recommends boaters follow these tips: observe no wake zone, wear your life vests, know your vessel’s limitations and don’t overload, don’t drink and drive. In addition to that list boaters should also file a float plan, be a weather watcher, have predeparture communication, wear the boat’s engine cutoff switch and have everyone on board serve as a lookout for other boats.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will have several boats patrolling the region and checking for everything from boat registration to running lights, life vests and more. So, do your part during this busy boating weekend to keep the waterways safe for all.

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NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK KICKS OFF SUMMER SEASON

The arrival of the special Memorial Day holiday period has been the official kick off of the summer boating season across America and right here on Kentucky Lake is no exception.

Scores of recreational boaters of all kinds will take to the waterways this weekend and jumpstart their warm summer season in a variety of ways. In fact, a lot of marinas have boats of all shapes and sizes that only see action on the year’s three big holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

For a lot of boats the rest of the year they stay tied up and suffer from lack of use. However, expect everyone and their brother to be out on the lake these next few days, tearing up the water with a pontoon, jet ski, big runabout, fishing boat or a sail boat.

Expect a big crowd at your local marina, launch ramp or campground area. After a mean spring that brought unstable weather to the region folks of all kinds are anxious to get out and about, sharing the swimming beaches, camping areas and popular boating haunts.

Soaking up the sun will lead to a lot of sunburns no doubt! Best remember to pack along ample sunblock to avoid the pain and skin damage that could jeopardize the rest of your holiday fling. A sunburn on the first day of a summer vacation is no fun and not smart.

As to boat traffic you can bet your bottom dollar things will be a bit crowded in some high use areas. Activity peaks on holidays around places like Paris Landing State Park and other popular resort areas where public launch ramps lure the crowd.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be patrolling the area throughout the holiday so do your part to keep the peace and safety out there. Hold your patience at busy boat ramps; it’s always congested there so expect delays.

Formulate a little checklist before you hit the water and make sure you have your boat registration, fire extinguisher, running lights in working order, charged batteries, tow ropes and most of all life jackets for all those on board.

Boaters are just like drivers on the open roads in that they must adhere to laws on driving under the influence. The same requirements are applied as anyone operating a boat or small watercraft having a blood alcohol of .08 is considered under the influence.

Don’t put yourself and fellow passengers in that predicament. And, don’t do it to your fellow boaters either. Fast boats on a crowded waterway can be quite dangerous but especially when a drunk driver enters the equation.

Meanwhile, here’s some tips for the upcoming boating season from The National Safe Boating Council:

National Safe Boating Week is underway and will run through May 27. TWRA and NSBC are reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season.

This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible.

Join us in sharing these boating safety messages each day of National Safe Boating Week!

Always maintain a proper lookout and be aware of other boaters and the environment while boating. Be sure everyone wears a U.S. Coast Guard approved, properly fitting life jacket while boating.

Did you know the environment may stress your body and mind enough to make the risk of an accident much greater while boating? Heading out on the water? Make sure you wear a life jacket and have (and know how to use) other required boating gear.

Check the latest weather forecast before you leave shore. Hop on over to weather.gov for the latest updates. Raise your hand if you took a boating safety course and got a vessel safety check. We did!

There are many dangers to boating under the influence. Protect your life and others – never BUI!

Here’s hoping you have a great holiday on the lake this weekend and that your summer boating season is a good one!

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