HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. -- It’s the biggest boating weekend of the year and also peak times for accidents on the water.
We rode along with Corporal Steven Kelly with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office's Marine Unit to learn how to stay safe on the water.
Kelley says everyone on the boat needs a life jacket and those under the age of 6 need to wear them at all times.
Boats that have people swimming in the water must use a dive flags.
"And you have to stay 300 feet away from that boat that has divers in the water," said Kelly.
Also divers and swimmers need to stay close to their boats.
Navigating through channel makers is a good idea so you don’t run aground in the shallow gulf.
No wake zones are also something boaters need to be aware of.
"Even in the Gulf, if you’re passing another boater, make sure your wake doesn’t disturb them. Every boat is responsible for their own wake," said Kelly.
And Kelly says as long as people follow the rules, everyone can have an enjoyable time on the water.
