Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Boats move about Chickamauga Marina on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.
Summer fun in the sun is only a good time when no one gets hurt, so state and local officials will kick off National Safe Boating Week on Saturday with a safety awareness effort aimed at everyone on the water, from experienced boaters to newbies.
Safety efforts, particularly the use of life jackets and BUI enforcement, will be the focus of boater education and law enforcement efforts, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Safety activities are planned from Saturday to May 23, leading up to Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, often viewed as the unofficial start to the summer boating season.
“We want to encourage everyone to always boat responsibly,” Lt. Col. Matt Majors said in a statement. Majors oversees the agency’s boating and law enforcement division. “Our waterways are enjoyed by all types of vessels, both small and large. Please maintain a proper lookout at all times and ensure alcohol and drugs are not part of your float plan.”
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Boats move about Chickamauga Marina on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / A pontoon boat is being launched onto Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Watercraft were seen on Chickamauga Lake on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Boats move about Chickamauga Marina on May 15, 2025. National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, 2025, and local and state officials are ramping up safety efforts — particular the use of life jackets.
On Wednesday, the Volunteer State marked its sixth fatal boating-related accident for the year, and the summer hasn’t begun. According to witnesses, Roger Howell from Overton County, Tennessee, was slumped over the steering wheel and then fell from the boat, wildlife officials reported. The incident happened on Dale Hollow Reservoir, which is on the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Bystanders pulled Howell, who was wearing a life jacket, from the water and performed CPR until he was transported to Livingston Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The same day, a person aboard a cabin cruiser on Chickamauga Lake had to jump from the vessel to escape a fire that erupted on a boat near the Chickamauga Marina boat ramp, upstream from the dam, according to Chattanooga fire officials. The Fire Department used its fire boat to extinguish the blaze. There were no injuries.
