Smith Mountain Lake volunteer rescuers share safety tips for summer boating

MONETA, Va. (WDBJ) - Drawing in visitors from all over our hometowns, Smith Mountain Lake is the place to be during the summer months.

It’s also the time when Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue watches the waters with a little more caution.

“I get a little concerned when I hear all the rental boats at Smith Mountain Lake are rented,” said Ray Talley, Deputy Chief with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue. “Usually those folks don’t have the experience as, say, somebody that lives here.”

Talley said anyone can operate a boat safely; it just starts with knowing the lake and understanding the conditions.

“There’s no lines on the lake, there’s no rules that say you can’t get over to the left or you can get over to the right. Some boats are faster, some boats are slower. So you just have to be looking out for that all the time,” explained Talley.

In case of an emergency, Talley said one simple step can save your life... wearing a life jacket.

“It’ll keep you afloat if you do get into trouble, so I would say that’s number one thing that everybody should be doing,” said Talley.

For anyone hoping to take a boat out this summer, Talley recommended taking safety courses. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources shares some of the ways you can take those courses here.