Boating officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have planned to be out in full force over Labor Day Weekend to make sure laws are followed and people stay safe.
"If you're going to be out here drinking, have a designated driver," Melvin McLerran, a boating officer with TWRA, said on Friday.
Leading up to Labor Day Weekend in Tennessee in 2016, TWRA has arrested 108 boaters for boating under the influence.
While it's not illegal to drink in a boat, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence, much like a car.
While alcohol will undoubtedly be on lakes and rivers throughout Tennessee over the weekend, McLerran said he believes a lack of life jackets will be the top infraction.
In 2016 leading up to Labor Day Weekend in Tennessee, 16 people have died in boating related incidents.
"If 10 of the 16 would have been wearing their life jacket, they probably would have survived," McLerran said.
In the state of Tennessee, all children under the age of 12 are required to wear a life jacket while out on a boat.
"We're not out here to hurt you, we're here to educate you," McLerran said. "Wear your life jackets, keep your alcohol consumption down, and if you're going to do it, make sure you have a designated driver, because we will be out here."
