Memorial Day weekend often provides the first chance to get out the boat and get on the water. The State Water Patrol wants you to pause a bit before you get on our lakes and rivers. Winter has receded, temperatures have warmed, and many are itching to get on the water and enjoy some spirited recreation. The Water Patrol’s Ralph Bledsoe says it won’t spoil anyone’s fun to make preparations before getting in a rush to get to the lake. The Lake of the Ozarks always attracts big crowds throughout the summer and especially on holiday weekends. But Bledsoe says you won’t find a lake in Missouri this weekend that won’t have a bunch of boaters on it. Here is the Water Patrol checklist: make sure your boat is sea worthy, check the life jackets and keep the booze away from the captain of the boat.