Louisiana Safe Boating Week May 21-27

The state of Louisiana has issued a proclamation that recognizes May 21-27 as “Safe Boating Week” in Louisiana, which signifies the beginning of the spring and summer boating season.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries remindis all boaters to be safe, responsible and knowledgeable while on the water during this safe boating week. Safe Boating Week is a time for all boaters to inspect their vessels to ensure that all required safety equipment is on board and that vessels are in good working condition.
Department enforcement division agents will be out in full force as always during the week to perform boating safety checks and driving or operating a vessel while driving while intoxicated patrols.
Each vessel should have enough personal flotation devices on board for all occupants and a sober operator. Department regulations also state that anyone 16 years of age and younger must wear a PFD while underway in vessels less than 26 foot long. For more boating and PFD regulations, visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating.
Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating crash incidents and fatalities on the water. Alcohol consumption impairs a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. The penalties for DWI on the water are the same as on the road. Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver's license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case.
The department also wants to remind anybody born after Jan. 1, 1984 that they are required to successfully complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators boating education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower. The department offers these classes free of charge statewide. For a list of courses, visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating/courses.
In 2015 Louisiana reported 22 boating fatalities. In 2013 and 2014 Louisiana reported 15 and 18 fatalities, which were the lowest and second lowest boating fatalities ever recorded for Louisiana. So far in 2016 Louisiana has had reported six fatalities.