No major boating accidents reported at the Lake of the Ozarks so far this Memorial Day weekend
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported no drownings or boat crashes on the Lake of the Ozarks so far this Memorial Day weekend.
The only injury accident for the weekend listed on the patrol's boating and drowning reports website is from Sunday at Stockton Lake in southwest Missouri when a swimmer slipped and hit a boat.
One deadly water accident was reported on Thursday at Table Rock Lake, where a southwest Missouri man lost control of his bass boat and was thrown from it.
The patrol had reported 10 drunk driving arrests and two drunk boating arrests over the weekend in Mid-Missouri by Monday afternoon.
Over Memorial Day weekend in 2022, the patrol reported zero drownings and nine boating crashes that resulted in one death and four injuries.
The patrol urges those planning to hit the water to stay safe. Troopers say that two ways to stay safe on the lake include wearing a life jacket and designating a sober driver.
Children under 7 years old are required to wear a life jacket if they are in a boat.
"Memorial Day has been great. Everybody's been great and behaving and having fun. We were prepared for it. And I would suspect the rest of the summer will continue to be the same," said John Zeller, general manager of the Lake of the Ozarks Marina.
Boaters who spent the weekend at the lake tell ABC 17 News crews that it hasn't been too crazy of a weekend, but they still take all safety precautions when out on the water.
"The main thing we do as far as safety is concerned is just being aware of our surroundings and keeping an eye on all the other boats around. You sort of make the assumption that someones going to make a mistake, so that you are extra careful." Said David Tannehill, a boater at the lake this weekend.
As boating season starts, boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the highway patrol's emergency assistance number, 1-800-525-5555 OR *55 on a cell phone.
