Crowds of people are flocking to our local lakes, trails, and parks this weekend, taking in the last that summer has to offer.
According to the N.C. Wildlife Commission, five people have died from boat accidents in North Carolina this year.
This Labor Day weekend, they’re reminding everyone to enjoy the lakes responsibly.
A small crowd of people began gathering at Jordan Lake already on Saturday, before noon, from families to friends and solo outdoor enthusiasts undocking their boats.
“I’m feeling good. The sun is out. There’s a lot of commotion. Everyone’s happy to get on the water,” said Austin McKay, excited to get out on the lake for the holiday weekend.
Lake lovers describe it as the perfect remedy for the end-of-summer blues.
“I love just the water, the calmness,” McKay added.
“My brother came out for the weekend to visit and hoped to get out on the water, do a little water skiing. Some swimming. This is my happy place,” said Peter Clark, who is spending time with his brother.
“I grew up in Burlington, and I’ve been coming to this lake since I was a kid. I’m very fortunate now, I live about 5-10 minutes away, and we could be on the lake in 15 minutes,’ he added.
Patrol sergeants with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission want to keep this a happy place.
“So first thing, we’re always looking for any type of safety issue. Whether that’s somebody operating in a careless or negligent manner. Someone speeding through a wait zone, or just some other type of unsafe maneuver,” said Claude Smith, a Patrol Area Sergeant with the NC Wildlife Commission for Chatham and Lee Counties.
Sergeant Smith said this weekend they’ll have about 17 officers on the water. Most are coming from other patrol areas to assist in covering Jordan and Harris Lake.
“Here on Jordan and Harris, in Chatham County, where I typically patrol, we’ve had several boat incidents this summer. And the majority of the fatalities were alcohol related,” said Smith.
Data shows that, as of the end of June this year, there had already been 42 crashes, four of them were deadly.
“The main thing I would say is to make sure you’ve got all of your safety equipment. Make sure your vessel is in good operating condition,” Smith added.
The fifth, and most recent, tragedy of 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll this month has touched many people across the Triangle.
“It’s just really sad to see. And having kids of a similar age.. I bring my kids out here to these lakes and we go swimming and boating or whatever, and I couldn’t imagine going home without one,” Smith said.
N.C. Wildlife is spreading awareness as they always do. Patrols are out on the waters this weekend with breathalyzers on their boats and BAT mobile units on standby, encouraging everyone to boat responsibly.
“The main thing I think about is that it’s completely preventable and it’s completely unnecessary,” added Smith.
Children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times on a boat.
In North Carolina, boating under the influence is a criminal offense with serious consequences, including potential jail time, fines, and suspension of boating privileges.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an approved boating course before operating any boat or vessel with a motor of 10 HP or greater. To learn more about boating safety courses, click here.
For a closer look at boating laws in North Carolina, click here.