With a forecast of sunny skies and warm temperatures Hall County Fire Rescue, state Department of Natural Resources rangers and other agencies are gearing up for large crowds on Lake Lanier for the last holiday weekend of the summer.
HCFR’s Marine Rescue Team will be present on the lake Saturday-Monday, 10:00 a.m. until sunset, “depending on lake traffic,” according to spokeswoman Kimberlie Ledsinger. In addition, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit will be present Friday and Saturday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. until each day, spokesman Derreck Booth said Thursday. “Two-deputy teams are assigned to the boat for each shift,” he added.
And with the recent drownings of two swimmers in the lake Ledsinger noted that many designated swim areas have a “Life Vest Loaner Station” provided by the Corps of Engineers for anyone who may need to borrow one. She also urged swimming in designated areas only and cautioned against boating and drinking, calling on boaters to have a designated operator on board, someone who is not drinking alcoholic beverages, while encouraging everyone on board a vessel to wear a life jacket.
(Picture courtesy the Corps of Engineers)