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Indiana conservation officers crack down on boating violations over Labor Day weekend

DNR cracking down on boating violations
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The summer may be coming to an end but this Labor Day weekend was everything you could have asked for. With the weather on our side, many took to the lakes and spent some time on the water, enjoying the sunshine.

If you spent your weekend on a lake, you probably noticed you were under the close watch of Indiana Conservation officers. They were out in full force looking for all types of violations, including no registration, not having enough life jackets and those who have had a bit too much to drink.

One of the big violations officers say they saw was people out water skiing without a spotter. Officers say if you’re going to be out skiing, you must have a dedicated person watching the skier at all times.

You also have to have a life-jacket for each person on board, which is one of those simple lessons that Indiana Conservation Officer Brad Robbins says can easily save lives, “Please be safe, we want you to go home at the end of the day. We want you to return home to your friends and family.”

Robbins says they also see a lot of violations from people drinking while boating and that can be extremely dangerous, “ Don’t boat intoxicated, if you are going to involve alcohol, do so responsibly and please wear your life jacket. “

Statewide, the DNR says they have already handled 35 drowning investigations this year. They’ve also investigated 50 boating accidents. 

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