“There’s always people in the water, we really don’t have a slow season on the water,” said Texas Game Warden Kyle Hendley.
The city of Port Aransas is experiencing one of its busiest times of the year, and that’s bringing more attention to the waterways.
Texas game wardens are actively performing boat safety inspections to make sure anyone on the water is operating their vessel legally.
“There’s always people in the water, we really don’t have a slow season on the water,” said Texas Game Warden Kyle Hendley. He says the boat docks in Port Aransas are always busy, which means his team is too, constantly on the water performing safety checks.
“They are required to have a fire extinguisher, sound-producing device, like a whistle or a horn, and their safety cut-off switch. Prevent the boat coming around and potentially running them over,” he said.
Hendley says alcohol is a big focus, reminding boaters that operating under the influence on the water carries the same consequences as on the road.
“It’s illegal to operate a boat while you’re intoxicated and that carries the same penalty as operating a vehicle on the roadway. It’s a BWI, boating while intoxicated instead of driving while intoxicated,” he said.
For six years, Mac Bennett has been guiding families on the waters of Port Aransas, and he says the first conversation with any new group is always about safety.
“When I get new people, that’s the first thing I do: we show them where the life jackets are, the fire extinguisher, the throwable cushion, the extra life jackets, before we ever leave the dock,” he said.
Bennett says that while safety is top of mind, he’s still seen the worst of what the ocean can offer for those who aren’t cautious.
“It seems like there’s just a couple every year and it’s just unfortunate accidents that probably could have been avoided,” he said.