GREEN RIVER—Two summer holidays have come and gone. After another busy boating and fishing weekend the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding everyone to review the watercraft and fishing regulations.

Game and Fish Warden Andy Roosa has been working local reservoirs to promote boating safety. Roosa checked many boaters and anglers this past holiday weekend and he said, by far, the most common warnings or citations written this summer have been for failure to register watercraft, no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal, and lack of proper safety equipment.

“I contacted numerous people who did not purchase an AIS decal for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft,” Roosa said. “Many people are new boaters, or new to boating in Wyoming, and are unaware of the AIS program, especially for small non-motorized kayaks and sailboats. Many people simply forget to buy a new sticker the first time they get the boat out. Hopefully, the option to purchase a combination AIS decal and boat registration will alleviate the problem of people forgetting to purchase a new AIS decal every year.”

Roosa said more than 30 warnings and citations have been written this summer in the Green River region for failure to purchase an AIS decal. The fine for not purchasing an AIS decal is $120.

“Also, a lot of people fail to get their boats inspected when they bring them in from out of state,” Roosa said. “Many people are unfamiliar with Wyoming’s AIS program and the new requirement this year to get all out of state watercraft inspected prior to launching. Depending on when and how they come into Wyoming, many people do not pass a check station on the way to the lake, or just don’t notice the check stations. Non-motorized boat owners often do not consider their boats watercraft so they don’t get them inspected or think they don’t need to stop at the AIS check stations.”

Roosa said more than 25 warnings and citations have been written this summer in the Green River region for failing to stop at an AIS check station, or launching a boat without an inspection. The fine for launching a watercraft coming from out of state without an inspection is $420 and the fine for not stopping at an AIS check station is $120.

“Other than AIS violations it has mostly been routine safety equipment and fishing violations, such as failure to provide life jackets, throwable devices and fire extinguishers, fishing without a license, filleting lake trout, or not leaving skin attached to fish fillets,” Roosa said. “I have written quite a few citations for fishing without a license, which seems like a no-brainer to me. Buying a $6 resident or $14 nonresident daily fishing license is a lot cheaper than a $220 fine. It surprises me how many people don’t buy one.”

Roosa and other watercraft enforcement officers provide watercraft education, emphasizing safe boating practices. They spend a lot of time talking to people about watercraft safety and explaining to them that having life-saving equipment readily accessible and ready to use is critical. They remind people not to neglect their responsibility for safe boating.

“Unfortunately, enforcement is sometimes required to maintain safety and proper use of our resources,” said Green River Information and Education Specialist Lucy Wold. “When officers approach a watercraft, they are making sure people have proper safety equipment. Proper safety equipment depends on the size of boat being operated, but standard practice is to ask boaters to show them one Personal Floatation Device (PFD a.k.a. life jacket) for each person on board, a working fire extinguisher, and a throwable flotation device.”

Wyoming law requires that a Coast Guard approved life jacket, that is in good condition and fits, must be available and accessible for each person on board. Wardens also make sure every operator of a watercraft has a registration and an (AIS) decal. Wardens check anglers for a proper fishing license and the required stamps. Roosa said it never hurts to pick up a free copy of the Wyoming watercraft regulations and Wyoming fishing regulations. People can also call or stop by the office in Green River with their questions.

Boaters should anticipate severe weather conditions, including lightning, rain, and wind, which can cause dangerous situations in a short amount of time. People need to be prepared if their watercraft motor quits. At a minimum, it is recommended that boaters make sure a tow rope and paddles are onboard, and life jackets are on.

“A life jacket that fits an adult is inadequate for most children,” Wold said. “If that child goes into the water, an adult life jacket will not work properly because it simply doesn’t fit. A life jacket that is too large is likely to come off the child. Children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket while the watercraft is underway. Flotation devices are also of no use to people on board if they are buried under coolers or in storage compartments. Make sure all of the safety equipment is accessible so it can be used at a moment’s notice. It has been my experience that bad situations begin unexpectedly.”

“We are more than happy to provide information to boaters and anglers this summer,” Roosa said. ”Enforcement is part of our duty to ensure people’s safety and keep our resources for future enjoyment. We encourage smart boating; it saves lives, maybe even yours.”

2012-2013 Wyoming Watercraft Regulations are available free of charge at any Game and Fish regional office, license vendors, or on-line at the department’s website wgfd.wyo.gov For more information on safe boating contact the Green River Region Office at(307) 875-3223.