AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Labor Day weekend is only a few hours away! Not much has changed in the laws on the lake, but Georgia DNR will be on guard.
Safety equipment is the main thing. All boats require a portable life jacket on board. These include kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
If you are under 13, you must wear them when the watercraft moves. Georgia DNR says they stop boats that clearly don’t obey the law, as well as those whose boats are too full.
Law enforcement can determine if a ship is overloaded if it is not sailing the waves properly.
Cpl. Bobby Timmerman of Georgia Law Enforcement DNR says, “When a boat operator looks too young, we sometimes stop and see if they’ve had their boat training course. If you were born after January 1, 1998. It is now required that you have completed this boater training course. “
Arrested, suspended, fines and jail terms could threaten the captain of the boat if he or she drinks too much.
It’s legal to have alcohol on the boat in Georgia, but the person driving the boat must stay sober.
Georgia DNR told me they will run over a boat and do a DUI test on their ship.
They have PPE for safety. Social distancing and small groups are encouraged on land.
