By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

Lakes or rivers will be popular destinations this Fourth of July weekend, but fun in the sun can also be safe if you take a few precautionary measures.

“People are out there having a good time, and we want them to have a good time — we just want them to be safe,” Alabama Marine Police Lt. Stacy Smith said.

Alabama Marine Police will be patrolling the waters this holiday season, and Capt. Matt Brooks, district supervisor for marine police in District III, said there are a few things they will be checking.

“We want to make sure that people enjoy themselves but that they have a designated boat operator that’s not consuming alcoholic beverages,” Brooks said. “Very few people expect to go to the water to be in an accident or lose their life, and it happens during the holiday each year. So we would like for people to be vigilant.”

In addition to having a sober driver, Smith said other safety rules include having a wearable life jacket of the correct size for each passenger and having the necessary equipment, such as a fire extinguisher, an emergency cut-off switch, navigation lights if you’ll be boating after sunset and, for the driver, a boating license.

“The fatality rate has gone down since the boating licensing law has been in effect,” Smith said.

When it comes to life jackets, children under the age of 8 must wear them at all times.

“Life jackets are the most important thing,” Smith said. “Boating collisions are extremely violent because there’s no airbag, there’s no seatbelt … If you go into the water after having a collision and you’re in shock or have been knocked unconscious, you’re chance of survival is not good without a life jacket.”

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, recreational boaters can find life jacket-loaner stations at many Corps-operated areas and facilities for recreation, campground and day-use.

Brooks said he encouraged everyone to remember the three Cs — courtesy, care and caution. Doing so might prevent some serious consequences.

“We have every officer that is working for us that can on patrol this weekend,” Brooks said. Writing citations is part of our job. We do enforce the law.”

Violations of boating laws can range from fines to arrest.

Here are a few safety tips from the Army Corps of Engineers:

Remember that even good swimmers can drown; know your limits.

Swim with a buddy in designated areas only.

Go feet first into the water.

Check the weather before putting a boat in the water, and leave the water at the first sign of bad weather.

Boat with a friend.

Let someone know where you plan to boat.

Know and follow the water “rules of the road.”