Georgia's Online
Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Guide - www.n-georgia.com
Discover Georgia's
beautiful parks, wildlife, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, coast and
islands, Civil War and historic sites, gardens, trails, festivals, and
other fun places to visit. Whether you are going out for a day or
vacationing in Georgia, this site is full of outdoor recreational ideas
and maps at your fingertips. Relax, browse around and get ready
for good times in Georgia.
Safety Guidelines for Being in Water It is important to follow these simple and
crucial guidelines if you are going to be near the water.
Visit our Georgia Lakes,
State Parks, Coast, Forest
and Wildlife Management Areas fishing and swimming
locations.
Swimming Safety Tips
Learn
how to swim. Swim
in designated swim areas. Never
swim alone in unsupervised areas. Watch
children closely at all times. Don't
dive or jump into unfamiliar water. Shallow water or submerged trees or rocks
could cause injury or even paralysis. Don't
stay in the water too long, especially when the water is cold.
Water-Skiing Safety Tips
Water-skiing
is permitted from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset. All
vessels towing skiers must have either a mirror with a 78 sq. inch viewing area
or a
competent observer at least 12 years old. In
order to tow a skier, a personal water craft must have two mirrors with a
viewing
area of 10 sq. inches each, not mounted on the steering
mechanism.
Boating Safety Tips
Wear
a life jacket. Check
your boat for all required safety equipment. Take
a safe boating course. Check
the weather forecast. File
a float plan with a friend. Check
your electrical and fuel system for gas fumes. Follow
manufacturer's suggested procedures before starting up. Carry
a navigation chart. Follow
the navigation rules of the road. The
minimum age to operate a vessel or personal watercraft in Georgia without adult
supervision is 16 years old. Persons
operating a vessel or personal watercraft must carry an operator's license. Each
person is required to have a Personal Floating Device (PFD). All
children under eight (8) years old must wear a PFD. PFDs
must be worn when within 800 feet below a hydroelectric dam and/or
navigational lock and dam. Any
person riding a personal watercraft must wear a PFD. Some
vessels must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved, BC type fire extinguisher.
Check regulations. Vessels
must be equipped with navigation lights when operated between the hours of
sunset and sunrise and during periods of limited
visibility.
Rules of the Road
Overtaking/Passing:
A vessel overtaking another vessel may pass on either side, but
the vessel being overtaken (passed) has the
right-of-way. Meeting
Head On: When meeting another vessel head on, each vessel should keep to
the right. Crossing:
Boat on right has the right-of-way. Slow down and permit it to pass. All
motorized vessels, sailboats and rental boats must be currently registered. All
vessels must stay 100 feet away from a "Divers Down" flag. When
operating in a narrow channel, all vessels will keep to the right of
mid-channel. Obey
all restrictive signs and buoys. Operate at an idle speed around gas docks and
loading docks. Operators
are responsible for any damage caused by their wake. All
accidents involving death, serious injury, or a disappearance from a PWC or boat
must be reported to the proper authorities within 48 hours.
River Safety
The Chattahoochee River just below Buford Dam is one of the most popular trout
fishing spots in the State. However, the Corps of Engineers cautions visitors to
use extreme care when fishing below the Dam. The Chattahoochee can change
quickly from a serene slow moving stream to a swift and treacherous river when
water is released at Buford Dam. During water release the river can rise up to
11 feet within a matter of minutes.
Several safety precautions are in effect for the 3 miles of river between Buford
Dam and the Ga. Highway 20 bridge. Visitors should:
Wear a life jacket. This is mandatory for all persons wading, boating or tubes
floating on this section of the river.
Exit the river immediately when the warning horns sound which indicate water is
being released at the dam. (South of the Ga. Highway 20 bridge, river users
cannot hear the warning horns).
Listen to radio station 1610 AM for river safety messages and water release
schedules.
Pay attention to warning signs posted along the riverbanks.
Plan trips in advance by calling 770-945-1466 for water release schedules.
Fishermen should also be aware of the effects of hypothermia. Water released at
the dam average 44 to 58 degrees year-round. When exposed to these temperatures,
exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in 30 to 60 minutes. Wearing
rubber waders is strongly recommended.
Learn
how to swim.
