TWRA urges boater safety on crowded lakes this Memorial Day weekend

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – May 18-24 is National Safe Boating Week, and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) officers are encouraging boaters to be responsible leading up to the busy Memorial Day weekend.

Area lakes typically see increased traffic on holiday weekends, but those who boat on Boone Lake said they feel the traffic has increased every weekend as the area’s population has grown.

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Boone Lake is a unique reservoir in the area as parts of it sit within the city limits of Johnson City, which makes the accessible lake popular.

Boaters like Matt Cornett, who has enjoyed days out on Boone Lake for nearly twenty years, said the increased traffic can be dangerous.

“It seems like it’s three times the traffic now,” Cornett said. “We really try to keep our kids off the water sports except on weekdays and late evenings. We don’t do prime-time on weekends because it seems like there’s a lot of boaters, a lot of traffic out there now.”

Cornett docks his boat at Rockingham Marina, the largest marina on the lake in terms of number of slips. Marina owners told News Channel 11 they’ve doubled in size in the past few years and now have 400 slips, most of which are full.

Ava Sams, the daughter of marina owner Doug Sams, said she’s seen an increase in those who have recently moved to the area inquiring about using the lake.

“I can’t tell you how many tours I gave from people who said they were new in the area or in for the week looking for a rental boat,” Sams said. “There’s for sure people out looking and coming to the area.”

The marina has added amenities to keep up with the growing boating population, including a cafe and store. Rockingham Marina ownership made sure the concrete dock was accessible to users of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs.

Sams said everyone can use the lake safely by being courteous and following safety rules, which means being careful to look out for those tubing behind a boat or using paddle boards.

TWRA spokesperson Matt Cameron agreed and said most boating accidents can be prevented.

“Don’t be the reason someone dies in a boating accident this year,” Cameron said. “Most fatal accidents are preventable from wearing a life jacket or boating sober.”

Cameron said the TWRA will have increased patrols over the holiday weekend, many of which will be at checkpoints on Boone Lake.

He also added that anyone born after January 1, 1989 requires a boater’s safety certification before operating most motorized vessels.

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