The State Water Patrol is expecting a lot of boaters on the water this Labor Day weekend.
Most boaters will be on the water during the day, which will make the waters more crowded and more congested than a regular weekend.
"We ask the boaters to be a defensive boater keep a lookout watch around you and slow down, have more patience," said Sgt. Jerry Callahan.
In addition to cruising defensively, boaters need to be aware of some new laws. There’s a new legal limit for blood alcohol, it’s down to .08, the same as on the roads. Boats also must pass emergency vessels that are displaying lights at idle speed and not produce any wake. Another new law is on requiring that passing channel be kept open.
"It just comes down to a curtsey issue if you’re on the small float streams make sure you’re not positioning yourself to where you may be blocking the only channel for other canoers and boaters to pass through," Callahan said.
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