With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer, Texas Game Wardens are ramping up patrols to ensure boaters stay safe across the state’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reports more than 560,000 registered boats and 359,000 unregistered paddlecraft navigating Texas waterways. Officials urge boaters to follow key safety guidelines, including wearing life jackets, operating vessels soberly, and practicing common-sense precautions.
“Texas Game Wardens will be out this weekend to ensure everyone enjoys their time on the water responsibly,” said Cody Jones, TPWD assistant commander for marine enforcement. “Many injuries and fatalities last year could have been prevented.”
Safety Guidelines for Texas Boaters:
✅ Wear a life jacket: Required for children under 13 and recommended for all boaters.
✅ Use the engine cut-off switch: It’s the law and helps prevent accidents.
✅ Stay sober: Operating a boat under the influence comes with fines and possible license suspension.
✅ Take a boater safety course: Required for operators born after Sept. 1, 1993.
✅ Personal watercraft rules: Life jackets are mandatory, vessels must stay 50 feet away from others, and operations are limited to daylight hours.
Game wardens will actively patrol through the holiday weekend and the summer season to prevent accidents and assist those in need. TPWD also reminds boaters to monitor weather conditions, share their plans before heading out, and avoid overcrowding their vessels.
For more safety information and certified boating courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program.
If you witness a wildlife violation, report it to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-GAME (4263).
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