LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Boating season is in full swing on Kentucky lakes and rivers, but there are some important things boaters need to remember before heading out on the water.
Alex Masterson, a boating enthusiast, passed the test for his boating license when he was 12 years old. Masterson says there are some things he checks before heading out on the water.
“First, before we leave, I mean, I gotta make sure I got enough gas to leave the dock. You got to make sure you got lifejackets for every person that you have on board, and you gotta make sure you got all your safety stuff. I got a whistle here on my key for you, in case we have an emergency or anything. I got my fire extinguisher to down there. Just get prepared for a nice, easy day on the water,” said Masterson.
Masterson says that knowing boating etiquette and the rules of the water are extremely important to have a safe day.
“Always pay attention for other boats that are tube and or doing sporting activities on the water, just make sure you’re a distance away from them,” said Masterson.
Louisville Metro Police Department River Patrol Sergeant Trever Blakley says not having all the proper requirements could lead to having your boating day terminated.
“Have your registration and your documents, your numbers and your vehicle properly displayed and displayed on the boat. Personal flotation devices, a charged fire extinguisher. You have to make sure that your navigational lights are properly working a throwable device in case somebody was to go overboard. The sound-producing device — whistle, a horn of some sort and then a flame arrestor. That’s for bigger boats on the water. It’s called a BUI boating under the influence. And it’s, it’s very important to know that in, in Kentucky, in the state of Kentucky, on the waterways, you’re not allowed to have any open alcohol containers on your boat at all,” said Blakley.
Officer Charles Druin says there are some differences on the Ohio River compared to some of the lakes in Kentucky, including some restricted areas. First-time offenses could cost boaters up to $1,000 dollars.
“Just do not come past a second bridge. It’s marked, and if you take your time to look at them, you’ll be able to read it. But also on top of the bridge, I should say, on the bottom of the spanning of the bridge, there’s multiple signs. There are large yellow signs with black writing. They also say this is a restricted area, not to enter,” said Druin.
“I’m just going to try to make a great day out of it and go maybe wake surfing some tubing, too,” said Masterson.
Boating licenses are not required, but LMPD’s River Patrol encourages boaters to take a course to learn best practices for safety and etiquette on the water.