The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reminds boaters to stay safe during the Memorial Day weekend.
This comes on the heels of National Safe Boating Week, which wrapped up on Friday.
The TPWD reminds boaters to wear a life jacket, use an ignition safety switch, learn to swim and take a boater education safety course.
Boaters may take swimming lessons from the American Red Cross, which offers lessons from certified instructors from across the state.
Anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, must complete a boater education course to operate a personal watercraft or boat with a horsepower of more than 15 hp.
The boater education course also offers Texas residents the opportunity to do the same in 48 other states, except Colorado and Connecticut.
Texas has nearly 570,000 registered boats – the sixth most in the nation – and the state is a prime spot for boating activity.
“A day on the water in Texas should be fun,” said TPWD Law Enforcement Division Director Col. Craig Hunter.
Last year, Texas Game Warden issued 1,353 citations and warnings during the Memorial Day weekend. Read more outdoors news items in the May 28 Bowie News.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Logo provided by the TPWD, used with permission)