Play safe over July 4 Weekend …
GRDA Lake Patrol offers boating, PWC safety tips

Langley – For some lake enthusiasts, the July 4 holiday is the biggest holiday weekend of the summer season on the water. Therefore, area lakes, including Grand Lake and Lake Hudson, should expect large crowds.

As those lake visitors prepare to hit the water, the Grand River Dam Authority Lake Patrol takes the opportunity to again remind them that boating safe, boating smart and boating sober are common sense ways to have a good time.

The following tips, offered by the GRDA Lake Patrol, can help make the outing safer for everyone.

• DO wear a life jacket. They float. You don’t.
• DO know the water and the environment you will be boating on.
• DO keep a good lookout while underway.
• DO shut your engines off when people are in the water near your boat.
• DO observe the nautical “rules of the road.”
• DO check the weather forecast before getting underway.
• DO keep a balanced load and trim boat.
• DON’T overload your boat.
• DON’T ride on the gunwale, bow, seat backs or any other place this not designed for sitting.
• Finally, DON’T DRINK AND BOAT! (The majority of lake accidents are alcohol related).

Also, for those who will plan on hitting the water on a personal watercraft (PWC) over the weekend, the Lake Patrol offers these tips as well:

Don’t ride tired: PWC operation requires a real sense of balance. Tired operators don’t have as much balance, which means less controlled operation.

Watch the weight: Don’t carry more passengers or weight than is recommended in your PWC owner’s manual. The heavier the load, the harder it is to handle and turn your PWC.

Watch out for others: Because lake traffic changes constantly, riders have to be very aware of their surroundings at all times.

Know what the craft is capable of: Just because you have ridden a PWC before, don’t assume they are all the same. For the most part, they are very similar, but riders must be educated about the specifics of the craft they are operating.

Know where you are: It is very important to know your location on the water. Are you near hazards such as rocks, buoys or sandbars? Are you in a place that is popular with skiers? Even though PWCs are designed to operate in shallow waters, it is important to remember that shallow water can become no water in a hurry. Avoid such areas.

Never drink and ride: PWC operation requires clear thinking, quick decisions, the ability to focus, depth perception, ability to judge speed and distance and ability to track moving objects. Alcohol impairs all these abilities while also affecting balance. Oftentimes, PWC injuries occur when people fall into the water and are too inebriated to climb back on board.

Watch your speed: Many PWC accidents are a result of excessive speed. PWC operators must match their speed to their skills. Don’t be overmatched by traveling too fast.

Finally, the GRDA Lake Patrol reminds boaters that Oklahoma boating laws and GRDA lake rules require children age 12 and under to wear a life jacket at all times while on the boat. Also, all boats must carry approved personal flotation devices for each person on board. However, the lake patrol urges all boaters to set a good example for the children, and to increase your chances of survival in an accident, by wearing your lifejacket at all times.

For more information on GRDA lakes or lake safety, contact the GRDA Lake Patrol at (918) 782-9594, or visit online at www.grda.com.

Grand River Dam Authority News Release Contact: Justin Alberty
Corporate Communications Director Grand River Dam Authority (918) 256 5545
jalberty@grda.com www.grda.com For immediate release: 6/30/09