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Patrols Toughen Up On Boaters For Holiday Weekend

By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: May 28, 2012
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They're on patrol and the water is their street. 

"On a day like today you know the winds calmed down you have a lot of boats on the water," said Taylor Co. game warden Roy Johnson.   

Johnson is taking extra steps to ensure boaters are fully geared.

Even if it means stopping the same boat twice. 

"My main concern is people paying attention right now.  Watching out for other boats, watching out for someone who might have dropped their skier or somebody out there swimming," he said.

Fort Phantom Hill Lake is a popular spot for swimmers, boaters and jet skiers- especially on holiday weekends.

Johnson's 15 years of experience helps him be on the alert for the most common mistakes boaters make.

"Continually being out here, being seen, checking these boats they know they're going to see us that makes them think I'd better have enough life jackets, I'd better make sure I have my equipment," said Johnson.

The extra patrol may just be working.  

Boaters like Julie Price- know the rules all too well.

"We come out here pretty frequently so we know pretty much what they're looking for," said Price.

She makes sure to properly gear up and be prepared for the frequent stops.

"We follow all the necessary precautions as far as obviously we have our dogs out here with us so they each have their own little life jackets too," she said.

Boaters can be ticketed and even fined hundreds of dollars for not having life jackets or driving under the influence.

Johnson is one of just four game wardens that patrol the lake- which can be hard to do on busy days when the lakes packed with boaters.

"If I can go out there and I can save one persons life because i made sure they had all their life savings equipment on board or if we find a BWI (Boating While Intoxicated)  driver we take him off the water where he might have killed somebody, you know that's a good day," he said.

Everyone with a personal watercraft vehicle is obligated to obey Texas Parks and Wildlife laws. 

That includes maintaining proper speed and a blood alcohol level of less than .08. 

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