The Memorial Day weekend is typically a time for a lot of folks to head to area lakes.
KVOE’s What’s In Outdoors on Friday focused in part on boat safety. Host Phil Taunton says your boat needs certain equipment before it even reaches the lake.
Boats also need a navigation light for night activity. If you plan to do any water skiing, be sure to install wide-angle rear-view mirrors if your boat doesn’t already have them.
Before and after you bring the boats home, it’s vitally important to heed the Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism’s guidance to Clean, Drain and Dry the boats to make sure they don’t spread invasive species like zebra mussels. That means:
*Inspecting and cleaning anything in contact with the water, including boats, trailers, equipment, clothes, dogs, boots and waders — and then removing any zebra mussels, other animals, mud, plants and other debris before heading home.
*Emptying all the water from engines, live wells, binges, bait buckets and every other space or item that can hold water before leaving the area. You also need to dump all live bait on dry land or at bait disposal sites.
*Drying all equipment for five days before using it again. If you have to use that equipment sooner wash it with 140-degree water before use.
Click here for more information about the Clean Drain Dry campaign.
Photos by Phil Taunton/KVOE What’s In Outdoors
{gallery}Memorial Day Weekend Boating 2018{/gallery}
