Memorial Day Boating Safety Advice: Pay attention, limit alcohol and wear life jacket

Drew Favakeh, Savannah Morning News
The Freedom Boat Club is celebrating Independence Day by decking out their boats in their finest red, white, and blue for an All-American Boat Parade.
The Freedom Boat Club is celebrating Independence Day by decking out their boats in their finest red, white, and blue for an All-American Boat Parade.

Boating safety experts are issuing a list of recommendations for Chatham County residents to stay safe ahead of Memorial Day weekend, when more people are traveling on the waterways.

The safety recommendations, issued by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Georgia River Network, prioritize paying attention, limiting alcohol consumption and wearing a lifejacket.

The safety recommendations resonate two years after three boating accidents occurred between May and June 2022.

On May 5, 2022, local businessman Joe Moore was killed when a boat he was aboard struck an unlit channel marker near the Savannah Yacht Club and he was hit in the head by an unknown object. On May 28, five people - four family members - died in a boat collision on the Wilmington River. And on June 5, 2022, two people were injured on Sunday when a small powerboat traveling in Turners Creek struck the wooden fenders beneath the U.S. 80 bridge. The teen involved in the crash was later charged with boating under the influence (BUI).

More: With boat accidents in Savannah on the rise, here are safety tips to know before sailing

More: With boating accidents rising, here are three agencies tasked with watching Chatham waterways

Game Warden Quintin Reed patrols along the BUll River.
Game Warden Quintin Reed patrols along the BUll River.

Georgia DNR Boating Safety 101: Pay Attention

DNR Game Warden Quintin Reed offers a simple recommendation for boaters on the waterway during Memorial Day: Pay attention.

“Watch everything going on around you,” Reed said in a phone call. “Be aware of your surroundings.”

DNR is one of three agencies tasked with responding in the case of boating accidents, along with the Chatham County Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard. If it’s a boating incident accruing more than $2,000 in property damages or involves serious injuries or fatalities, Georgia DNR would be the primary agency, according to previous Savannah Morning News reporting.

Reed also said “be aware of your state of mind,” noting that there “tends to be alcohol on boats,” especially during Memorial Day weekend.

“I want everybody to have a good time, but I want everyone to be safe,” said Reed. “Don’t get intoxicated when you’re driving the vessel. Just make sure you’re aware of how you are.”

Since the multiple boating accidents two summers ago, Reed said DNR has a “heightened sense of patrolling” during holidays, including a greater number of employees available and working longer shifts.

“That's the best way we can do it is to just get out there and make sure that everybody's doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” said Reed.

There hasn't been any boating incidents in Chatham County, thus far, in 2024, though there has been one BUI and one drowning, according to an email sent by DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon. In 2023, there were seven boating incidents, four BUIs and one drowning in Chatham County. In 2022, there were four boating incidents, five BUIs and two drownings, and in 2021, there were five boating incidents, six BUIs and three drownings in Chatham County.

There will be 5 DNR game wardens patrolling Chatham County waterways throughout the Memorial Day weekend, according to McKinnon.

Game Warden Quintin Reed talks with boaters to make sure they have enough life jackets and space on their boat during a safety inspection on the Bull River.
Game Warden Quintin Reed talks with boaters to make sure they have enough life jackets and space on their boat during a safety inspection on the Bull River.

U.S. Coast Guard: Always have life-saving equipment onboard

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ryan Dickinson issued a statement via email:

"Coast Guard Station Tybee Island is gearing up for a proactive presence on the water this holiday weekend, dedicated to upholding safety for all boaters. Collaborating closely with our local, state, and federal maritime counterparts, Station Tybee Island's boat crews stand poised to aid anyone facing distress. We urge the public to maintain vigilance on the water and to always ensure they have essential life-saving equipment before leaving the pier."

Dickinson added in a separate email that "the number of Coast Guard members ready to assist mariners in distress well exceeds 100 between the various Coast Guard units that respond to the Chatham County area from Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, various Coast Guard Cutters and Station Tybee Island."

A Chatham County Marine Patrol vessel cruises slowly along the Savannah River near Plant Riverside District on Monday, December 4, 2023. On Sunday a 30 year old white male jumped into the Savannah River from the center span of the Talmadge Bridge and was not seen after hitting the water.
A Chatham County Marine Patrol vessel cruises slowly along the Savannah River near Plant Riverside District on Monday, December 4, 2023. On Sunday a 30 year old white male jumped into the Savannah River from the center span of the Talmadge Bridge and was not seen after hitting the water.

Chatham County Marine Patrol to focus on boating safety compliance

Betsy Nolen, Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) Public Information Officer, wrote in an email that CCPD Marine Patrol will also be fully staffed during Memorial Day weekend.

Nolen recommended that boaters check that their boats are in good working order and have working lights before heading out on the water. Nolen also added that people should have a float plan that they share with others and to wear life vests.

"Our focus is always on safety, and this weekend will be no exception," Nolen wrote in the email. "We will be proactively patrolling, conducting safety checks, and responding to any emergencies – the same tasks we do every day of the year. Our safety checks are very much designed to bring people into compliance as quickly as possible, so they can boat safely. In fact, 90 percent of the citations Marine Patrol writes are warnings. Marine Patrol is very focused on educating, instead of punishing, whenever possible."

A look at the kayaking path along the Savannah River on Stallings Island.
A look at the kayaking path along the Savannah River on Stallings Island.

Safety advice for paddlers

Andrea White, community programs coordinator for the Georgia River Network, said she always encourages paddlers to wear their lifejackets, no matter their swimming ability or how harmless the water conditions appear to be. She also encourages paddlers to not paddle alone, if possible.

The Georgia River Network is a Georgia river advocacy organization that organizes paddle trips and promotes water trails. On May 18, during National Safe Boating Week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Allatoona Lake and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, along with the Georgia chapter of the American Canoe Association (ACA Georgia) offered Kayaking 101 classes to students led by nationally certified ACA instructor volunteers in multiple Georgia cities, including Savannah, Eatonton, Acworth and White, according to a press release.

In Chatham County, White said, “You’re mostly dealing with tidal waters, oyster beds and hazardous conditions caused by wind.

“Remember to act as though something in your plan for your day is going to go wrong,” said White.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Boat safety experts issue recommendations ahead of Memorial Day weekend

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