Hints to Spot Impaired Boaters
PICKWICK LANDING STATE PARK, Tenn.- Some local lake-goers said they are constantly looking out for drunk boaters; but they are not always easy to spot. Margie Warfield and her grandchildren boat on Pickwick Lake every summer; but never on the Fourth of July. “I don’t want my grandchildren out there where boaters are crazy,” said Warfield. And by crazy she said she means, bringing booze on the boat. Last weekend officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency kicked off “Operation Dry Water”, something they do every year to keep West Tennessee waters safe. “There are just too many accidents and people are careless when they’re drinking and stuff,” said Warfield. And that is why park rangers at Pickwick Landing State Park said they try to be proactive, not allowing anyone to drink except at designated on-site locations. “We always make sure we maintain proper lookouts,” said John French, a frequent boater. There are ways to spot drunk boaters. The same way you spot drunk drivers. Look out for erratic driving, boats weaving around others, and keep an eye out for alcoholic drinks in the hands of other boaters.
