Safety First

                It seems there’s a new sense of unity among Lakers this summer season, and the common thread is safety. Not only on the waterways but on the highways as well, people seem to be taking the time to look out for their neighbors. 

                So far, we are off to a great, safety-conscious start with no major accidents to report.  Safe boating class enrollment is at an all-time high thanks to increased publicity (check out the May/June Laker story if you missed it) and  safety awareness by the boating public. You can enjoy the 4th of July Fireworks by boat  this year safely and more comfortably thanks to the “No Wake Departure” efforts of Laker Magazine contributing writer Jerry Hale and the endorsement of a myriad of Lake-area organizations, including the WSC, SMLA, SMLBA, SMLPBA, DGIF, USCGA, SMLMVFRC, Lions, Newcomers, Striper Club and She Doos.                 

                The Lake’s boat rental companies have improved their education strategies for renters who might not be as experienced as locals. Law enforcement has reinforced visibility and patrols to become a deterrent for  would-be outlaws. Yet, even with all this improved effort to increase boating safety on the Lake, it only takes one idiot to ruin it for the rest of us. So don’t be that idiot. Drive responsibly and defensively.

      One of the first fundamental principles to understand when achieving water safety is that boating is a privilege, not a right.  It’s not your water or their water, it’s OUR water. So take care of it and keep it clean. And how about a big thank you to AEP for keeping the Lake as full as possible? 

      Always wear a life jacket. Never consume alcohol or drugs and operate a vessel. Stay to the right of the Lake and oncoming traffic. Make sure kids wear life jackets anytime they are near water or on the dock. Never hand your PWC key to anyone without making sure they know how to operate it. And, my own personal request: PLEASE do not stop in any curve on the Lake and mount kids on tubes. In fact, don’t pull anyone on anything through high-traffic areas on the weekends.

      After you have reviewed all of your safety information and then reviewed it again with your passengers,  you are ready to have incident-free fun.

Be safe and stay to the right,

                Micah J. Gaudio

                Publisher

P.S. The views and opinions expressed by the publisher are those of the publisher only and do not necessarily reflect the views of Laker employees or advertisers (but probably do).