Free life jackets are being given out at Smith Mountain Lake

Prepare for the lakes to be extremely busy for Memorial Day this weekend.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is warning people to take extra caution on the water.


Don't forget your boat is equipped with the proper gear, as officials will be patrolling the water.

In case you forget a lifejacket, keep in mind there will be four free lifejacket stations on Smith Mountain Lake.

Two will be in Moneta; Halesford Bridge and Scruggs Boat Launch.

The others will be in Penhook; Anthony Ford and Penhook Boat Launch.

"A lot of times people come down and they have adult life jackets on their boat, if they have visitors come down and have children, we have the sizes for the children, the youth, infants," Rick Ellett, Sea Tow Owner said.

Officials say 80 percent of boating fatalities could have been prevented if lifejackets were used.