The number of boating-related fatalities investigated by state wildlife officials so far this year, five, is behind the nine deaths investigated by authorities at the same time in 2023, but the season is just getting started, according to state wildlife officials. All the more reason for boaters to be safety conscious.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency kicks off National Safe Boating Week on Saturday to emphasize safe boating practices as Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, approaches, according to an agency news release. The agency and partner organizations will be working to educate the boating community about the importance of wearing life jackets and available options that are more lightweight and comfortable.
“TWRA is committed in its mission to make Tennessee waterways safe for everyone to enjoy,” said Betsy Woods, the agency’s boating education coordinator. “Be sure to boat responsibly, keep alcohol at a minimum, make sure your boat is in good working order and, by all means, wear your life jacket. It may indeed save your life. Boating is a wonderful activity for family and friends, so have fun but do so in a safe manner.”
While boating fatalities are down from last year, two of the five boating-related fatalities this year occurred in the Chattanooga region.
On Feb. 26, Philip Acord, 78, of Hamilton County, fell into the water while fishing with a friend on Chickamauga Lake near the Ware Branch boat ramp about a mile upstream on the Tennessee River from Harrison Bay State Park. Acord was the longtime CEO of Chattanooga’s Chambliss Center for Children and was the first boater to die in Tennessee this year.