HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KATV) — As thousands of Arkansans head to lakes and rivers for the Fourth of July holiday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is increasing patrols to help keep boaters safe.

Game wardens will be on the water from sunrise into the evening throughout the holiday weekend, with a particular focus on boating under the influence, one of the leading safety concerns during one of the busiest boating weekends of the year.

Sgt. Brady Baker with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said the holiday typically brings a surge of visitors to the state’s waterways.

“Kids are out of school, and a lot of parents are off work,” Baker said. “They’re looking for a place to get cool, and the lakes and rivers are a great place to do that, and Arkansas has tons of opportunity on the water.”

While wardens will be watching for impaired boaters as part of the nationwide Operation Dry Water campaign, Baker said they are also focused on safe vessel operation and equipment violations.

“This weekend is a nationwide focus on boating under the influence,” Baker said. “We’re focusing on this weekend — we do every weekend — but, yeah, that, and just safe operation and equipment violations.”

Baker said many people mistakenly believe game wardens stop boats at random. Instead, he said, officers typically make stops after observing a safety or equipment violation.

“We wait until we observe a violation to make the stop, and it’s going to be for unsafe operation or an equipment violation most of the time,” Baker said.

Baker said alcohol can impair boat operators more quickly than many people realize because of the unique conditions on the water.

“On the water, you have all these other environmental stimuli, like this bright sunlight, engine noise, the wave motion, and so all of those things amplify the effects of alcohol on a person’s body,” Baker said.

Before heading out, Baker encourages boaters to designate a sober operator, ensure there are enough properly fitted life jackets for everyone on board and operate vessels responsibly.

“Have a designated operator for your vessel, and just operate safely, and then make sure that you have enough life jackets for everybody on board,” Baker said.

Officials also remind boaters to check the weather forecast before launching, as conditions on Arkansas lakes and rivers can change quickly.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With lakes and rivers expected to be crowded over the Fourth of July holiday, boating experts and emergency responders are urging Arkansans to take extra precautions as one of the busiest weekends on the water also ranks among the most dangerous.

Officials say holiday weekends often bring an increase in boating emergencies. They are encouraging boaters to slow down, stay hydrated, avoid overloading their boats and make sure navigation lights are working if they plan to stay on the water after dark.

Boating expert Josh Bradley said he witnessed firsthand how quickly a fun day on the water can turn tragic. Last December, he saw a fatal boating crash after a boater struck a tree in a slough.

“I feel terrible for that family, you know, they went without their loved one after that day, ” said Bradley. He just didn’t see a tree, and that tree was in the middle of a slew and when he hit the front gunwale, it shot him sideways, and immediately put him right into the tree.”

Bradley said he attempted CPR, but the man later died from his injuries.

The experience, he said, reinforced the importance of slowing down while operating a boat.

“There is no reason to go fast, especially if you have a full load of people,” Bradley said.

Bradley also warned boaters not to exceed their vessel’s weight capacity, saying he has seen overloaded pontoons take on water after waves washed over the bow, causing them to sink.

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s over the holiday weekend, Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services Clinical Coordinator Garrett Whisenhunt said dehydration will also be a major concern for first responders.

“It’s going to be hot outside,” Whisenhunt said. “If you wait until you’re thirsty, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

Bradley said dehydration can also affect a boat operator’s ability to safely navigate the water.

“As you deplete your energy, your brain function slows down,” he said. “You need to make sure you’re staying hydrated.”

For those planning to watch fireworks from the water, Bradley said boaters should ensure all required navigation lights are turned on and consider using additional lighting to make their boats more visible to others.

Bradley said the fatal crash he witnessed serves as a reminder that even experienced boaters can become overconfident.

“He didn’t think for a second that he was going to experience that that day,” Bradley said. “You take things for granted, especially if you’ve been there a bunch and get overconfident.”

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