CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section is ramping up water patrols and reminding boaters about the state’s boating laws and regulations in honor of National Safe Boating Week and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
The DNR Police are dedicated to promoting safe and responsible enjoyment of the state’s natural resources and ensuring compliance with hunting, fishing, and boating laws. Director Brett McMillion expressed gratitude for the hard work of the DNR Police in educating individuals about safe boating practices.
One of the primary concerns for WVDNR Police during the boating season is adherence to the state’s life jacket laws. Every person on a boat underway must have a properly sized, good-condition, and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that is readily accessible.
Children under 13 years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway, with exceptions for being below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
WVDNR Police Captain Warren Goodson emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets, citing U.S. Coast Guard statistics that reveal the significance of life jacket use in preventing recreational boating fatalities.
In addition to enforcing life jacket laws, the WVDNR Law Enforcement section increases water patrols during holidays like Memorial Day to crack down on boaters operating under the influence.
Furthermore, individuals born on or after December 31, 1986, must complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved Boater Education Course to legally operate a motorboat on West Virginia’s waters.
To learn more about boating rules, safe practices, and the WVDNR’s boater education program, visit WVdnr.gov/boating.