Game Warden Urges Extra Caution On, Near The Water

Area lakes will soon be filled with boaters, skiers and fishermen in celebration of the July 4 holiday and Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden Steve Stapleton said lake goers should always keep water safety in mind.

"We, as game wardens, are charged with the task of enforcing the water safety act which is basically the traffic code for water," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that the code includes laws for any type of watercraft.

"We will check anything that floats and we check for fishing licenses out on the water as well," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that the biggest violation he comes across is people not having enough lifejackets on the boat.

"You must have a lifejacket for everyone on the boat. And the jackets must be size appropriate. A grown man can’t hold up an infant lifejacket and tell me that it is his," said Stapleton.

"If you don’t have enough lifejackets on the boat, you can expect a citation," said Stapleton.

He also said that the jackets must be worn properly and be in good condition.

"They can’t be ripped or torn and they must be buckled or zipped, however they are made," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that children 12 and under must have a lifejacket on at all times.

"People don’t realize that just because you are sitting still on the water doesn’t mean that someone can’t fall overboard and drown," he said.

He added that there is a big push to check boat drivers during the July 4 holiday.

"We want to be sure that everyone is safe and not drinking while boating," said Stapleton.

He also added that the heat and moving on the water can affect a person’s reaction to alcohol.

"Extreme heat and movement can cause a person to become intoxicated before they realize it," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that you can have an open container on a boat but that no one can be intoxicated.

"If the boat driver is intoxicated, they will get a BWI (boating while intoxicated) which carries the same penalties as a DWI (driving while intoxicated)," he said. "Any passenger that is intoxicated will receive a public intoxication citation.

"If someone is a danger to themselves or others, they are going with us."

Stapleton also urged caution while swimming.

"Be aware of your surroundings and never swim alone," he said; adding that lake goers should also be aware of weather conditions.

"Winds can blow up in a hurry. Everything could be calm one minute and then really go downhill," Stapleton said. "If you see bad weather coming, don’t wait, go ahead and get off of the water."

He said the main thing for people to do when on the water is to use common sense.

"We just want people to come out to area lakes and have fun but be mindful of what they are doing, just use common sense when operating any kind of water vehicle," said Stapleton.