Archive for June 13th, 2007

Boater Safety: Lake Patrol

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

We’re on the threshold of summer, which means more Texans will be on the water…and they won’t be alone.

I‘m Sgt. Chopan with the police department with the Grand Prairie lake Patrol unit. I’m just wanting to check to make sure you have all your safety equipment on board. You have your life jacket?

Lake Police, like Sgt. Chris Chopan, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will be on the water, too.

Lake patrol is sometimes is good because the public likes to see you, whereas when I’m driving in a car they usually don’t want to see me.

Everyone aboard a boat must wear a life jacket.

Do you take the dog out often? Yeah, we’ve got three of them and they all have life vests. Sometimes, it’s amazing, you know, they’ll put life jackets on their dogs, but they won’t put life jackets on their kids.

Even people in the water need to think safety first.

Not safe for you to be here, No good. No bueno. Too many boats. Twenty-four feet of water, no life jacket, inflatable swim ring, and we wonder why we have to come pick them up later. I’m almost tempted to pick him up and get him out of there – what do you think? This is not illegal probably, but it sure is dumb.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun. Visit passporttotexas.org to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program..funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti