Pell City Marine Police will look for reckless and DUI boaters on Logan Martin Lake during the Memorial Day weekend.
“All hands will be out working for the next four days,” Alabama Marine Police Capt. Michael Patrick said Thursday. “We’ll work day and night looking for reckless and impaired boaters.”
Patrick said game wardens with the Alabama Fish and Game Department will also participate in lake patrols across the state.
Pell City Police Chief Greg Turley said the city’s marine police unit will also patrol Logan Martin Lake this weekend. He said the city’s Marine Patrol will team up with the Alabama Marine Police and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to identify for reckless and DUI boaters during the holiday weekend.
“Do not drink and drive,” Turley warned boaters. “The chances of being caught are very high.”
He said alcohol consumption on the hot, open water is not wise.
“You’re in an unforgiving environment,” Turley said, adding that the chance of getting hurt is high when you have alcohol in the mix.
“If you drink, don’t drive,” he said. “Find a designated driver. … Enjoy yourself but be safe and don’t take any dangerous chances.”
Turley said officials expect a lot of traffic on the lake this weekend, because it’s going to be a beautiful weekend.
He said the Pell City Marine Police also offers free boat inspections, and will not cite boaters for possible violations during a boat inspection.
Turley said if Logan Martin Lake boaters want a free boat inspection, call the Pell City Marine Police at 205-368-3294 or email them at dockwatch@epell.net.
Logan Martin Lake Boaters can also contact the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for a free boat inspection by calling Lt. Christine Beal-Kaplan at 205-884-5783.
Mayor Bill Hereford signed a proclamation proclaiming May 21-27 as National Safe Boating Week, and he asked boaters to practice safe boating habits while operating vessels on Logan Martin Lake.
According to the Alabama Marine Police 2010 Accident Report Summary, there were 95 boat accidents involving 120 vessels, totaling more than $900,000 in property damage last year.
The report summary states there were 20 boating deaths recorded in Alabama from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2010, and 53 people suffered injuries.
One boating death occurred on Lay Lake.
On Logan Martin Lake, there were two boating accidents involving three vessels. Three people were injured in boating accidents but there were no fatalities on the lake.
The 2010 accident report summary states alcohol was involved in 15 accidents and 6 boating deaths.
Contact David Atchison at datchison@dailyhome.com.
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