Officers urge boating safety

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If you're hitting the water this holiday weekend, you'll have plenty of company.

Officers will be out in full force too, making sure everyone is playing it safe.

"This weekend, we'll be putting in some long hours,” said Barry Rowell of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Officers like Rowell zero in on the No. 1 offense -- intoxication and whether boaters have exceeded the .08 alcohol limit.

It is a risk compounded by the normal dangers on the water.

"When you get out here, there are no lines out here, there are no lanes. You've got boats out here approaching in every direction, so you really have to be aware of your surroundings," said Rowell.

Boaters who get pulled over should also expect to show their registration and safety equipment.

"We want everybody to be safe out here, and we want everybody to go home at the end of the day,” said Rowell.

Patrollers will be out until midnight or later through the holiday weekend.