It’s another busy boating season on Kentucky waterways.
Sergeant Jerrod Alley with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife law enforcement said heavy boat traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic last summer has carried over to this year. “The average age of the boat buyers is going down. Along with that goes, you know, they’re younger boaters, they’re less experienced boaters and they’re new boaters. A lot of them are first-time buyers. So, we’re seeing more moving violations,” said Alley.
Alley said an increase in boaters new to recreational time on the lake does heighten the risk of mishaps. He noted there’s been a big surge in paddle boating and kayaks. Just buying a boat can be a challenge. The sergeant said a four-to-six week wait time for a boat purchase previously can be as long as eight months now. With any type of watercraft, Alley said the most important safety measure is always wearing a life jacket. “They’ve changed the designs. They’re comfortable now. You know, they’re not the bulky almost a flak jacket feeling vest that they were 20 years ago. Now, there’s some comfortable ones,” explained Alley.
Alley said drownings on Kentucky waterways were up last year. He said there have been 29 deaths so far this year. While the traditional boating season might be considered Memorial Day through about mid-September, Alley noted it’s not unheard of to see boaters on lakes in mid-winter.
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