MADISON, Wis. — National Safe Boating Week happens each year on the third Saturday in May. This year it falls on Memorial Day weekend, a time when thousands of Wisconsinites take their boats out on the water. 

Kyle McNally is a sergeant with the Dane County Sheriff Department’s Marine and Trail Enforcement Division. 

He said for many, Memorial Day weekend will be the first time they’re taking their boats out on the water this summer. 

There are many things he said you need to check before that happens. 

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

“You want to make sure you have good fuel in it, if you stored it with fuel in it over the winter season,” said McNally. “It may not work for you out here and you don’t want to find that out once you launch your boat.” 

McNally said boat owners should also check their battery terminals before heading out on the water. 

He said if they are not covered, that is a ticket-able offense. 

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

“Make sure you have a charge on your batteries. A lot of times people have just enough to start their boat and they get out here for the day and they end up calling us for a tow,” said McNally. 

McNally said boats must have life jackets for everyone on board as well as a throwable flotation device that is immediately accessible. 

“Check your fire extinguisher even if you knew it was good last year,” said McNally. “Take a look at that and make sure it is ready to rock.” 

He said one of the most important things to remember is that you have your plug in your boat. If you don’t, he said it will take on water very quickly. 

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

He said one of the most common things he runs into is expired boater registration. 

“If you don’t have new stickers but you have already registered your boat, just bring the paperwork from that registration and we won’t have any problems,” said McNally. 

To find out more about registering your boat and boat regulations in Wisconsin, you can follow this link.