With Memorial Day weekend full speed ahead, local law enforcement
agents are gearing up for the kickoff of boating season. And it's a
bigger group than ever. 13 agencies now make up the Lake Travis Task Force .
As their first assignment, they are starting earlier than ever,
getting out in front of potential problem a week before the holiday. The
warning sound for the weekend ahead blared a little early for Cpl.
Danny Forbes of the Lower
Colorado River Authority Rangers .
Seeing passengers
standing near the sides of a boat speeding past Mansfield Dam was cause
for concern.
"We try to educate them on what they need to do to
be safe," said Forbes.
Standing on the sides, out-of-date
registration, and an empty fire extinguisher. Forbes let the boaters off
with a warning, hoping it sinks in for the coming days.
"I
notice you have some beer here,” he told the boaters. “Please take it
easy on it. Every year on this lake, we lose 12-15 people, the majority
of them because they are intoxicated."
Forbes said he expects to
see a 1,000-1,500 in Devil’s Cove alone this weekend. That is twice as
many as last year's drought-effected Memorial Day.
"The water
does get really rough,” said boater Charlie Balay.
"This little
boat does not like big waves,” her fiancé Bobby Earl added.
"The
majority of the people out here that do get injured and end up dying in
the water are not wearing a life jacket,” Forbes said.
So far,
this year, four people have drowned in Lake Travis. As another call
beckons, Forbes said he hates to think it but would not be surprised if
this weekend's recklessness brings another death.
"Come out and
have a good time,” he said, “but please be safe."
