2 laws that promote boating safety, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency joined other organizations across the nation to participate in and observe National Safe Boating Week, a global initiative that runs from May 18 to May 24.

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According to officials, part of what helps keep people safe on the water is the legislation surrounding boating and water-related activities.

During a press event on Tuesday, the agency highlighted the following legislation:

Emergency cut-off switch or “kill switch”: According to the news release, this law requires an emergency cut-off switch link to be used on covered vessels while it is above “displacement speed.”

The release notes that this requirement aims to “(protect) occupants of the boat and other vessels from runaway boats by ensuring the engine immediately stops when the operator leaves the helm or is displaced for any reason.”

Regulation of wakeboarding and wake surfing: This act regulates wakeboarding and wake surfing on the waters of the state impounded by Lewis Smith Dam (Lewis Smith Lake), R.L. Harris Dam (Lake Wedowee or the R.L. Harris Reservoir), and on Shoal Creek in Lauderdale County north of Highway 72, according to the release.

“According to the new law, a person may not engage in wakeboarding or wake surfing between sunset and sunrise, on portions of water where the width is less than 400 feet, within 200 feet from any shoreline, dock, pier, boathouse or other structure located on the impounded waters, and while not wearing a personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard,” the release said.

Lake Martin and Weiss Lake were also added to the law, according to the release.

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