With warm weather fast approaching, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is preparing for the unofficial start of the summer boating season this Memorial Day weekend by reminding residents about boating safety.
May 18-24, 2024 is National Safe Boating Week, and the PFBC wants to make sure boaters follow safety guidelines to have a safe and enjoyable summer on the water.
“All across Pennsylvania, excitement is building for the unofficial start to the summer boating season, which happens this upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend,” said Paul Littman, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Boating. “Whether you plan to go paddling, waterskiing, fishing or just relaxing on a pontoon boat, National Safe Boating Week is a reminder that every boating adventure should begin with a few safety steps to keep you out of trouble so you can focus on having fun.”
The PFBC is reminding boaters to always wear a life jacket, never go boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to have a float plan in place to let someone know when and where they will be boating. Boaters should also check the forecast before heading out on the water and take a boating safety course before they hit the lake or river.
The legal limit for operating a watercraft in Pennsylvania is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In Pennsylvania, boating under the influence penalties are similar to those for driving a motor vehicle while impaired. The PFBC said boaters should be aware that its waterways conservation officers will be on patrol throughout the summer looking for inebriated or impaired boaters.
For more information on safe boating, to sign up for a safe boating course, or to purchase launch permits, boat registration renewals and fishing licenses, visit FishandBoat.com.
This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.
