Wildlife Officers make sure boaters follow the law this holiday weekend
FALLS LAKE (WTVD) -- Many families are spending the Memorial Holiday by taking the boat out for a cruise on the lake.
As they do that, they're joined by state wildlife officers who are keeping an eye on boaters to make sure they follow the law.
Several thousand people are expected to hit Falls Lake over the next few days. Wildlife Resources Officers are among the officials keeping busy, checking in with people who are boating or fishing.
"We will do our best to educate the folks through education, but the ones we can't make contact and get with education, well do with enforcement," said Brent Ward, a Wildlife Resources Officer.
Officials are checking to make sure that fishing licenses are valid and that kids under 13 are wearing life vests. They also want to make sure there are vests available for every person on board a boat.
Knowing that there would be so many officers on the water, boater Charlie Fanoedler spent extra time Saturday morning going through his checklist of required items.
"I am ready for those guys," Fanoedler said. "I double checked it. When you're in charge of a boat, you have to make sure your passengers are safe and everybody else is safe."
Officials are also cracking down on drinking and driving to make sure there aren't any serious accidents or fatalities.
"We have been very lucky," Ward said. "It is not against the law to have alcohol on the boat. But it does break the law when you become impaired and you operate at that point."
Officials are conducting checks the rest of the weekend. Expect a big push Monday as people are heading back from out-of-town and come to the lake for one last day of fun.
