CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A small-craft advisory in the Coastal Bend did not stop plenty of boaters and fishermen from enjoying the Fourth of July holiday out on the water Thursday. That is why Texas Game Wardens are ramping up patrols during this extended holiday weekend.
Their goal is to keep a close watch on the crowds and prevent tragedies from happening.
The game wardens start with a friendly hello, and an important question.
"Can I see life jackets for everyone on board?"
It's a question that Texas Game Warden Lerrin Johnson said could make a big difference for your safety on the water.
"On life jackets there is zero lenience," Johnson said. "We as game wardens across the state, we recover too many drowning victims that a life jacket could have saved that life."
Johnson and her partner Albert Flores approached one boat after another Thursday. Fishermen like Terry Hooper didn't mind the safety checks.
"We always keep the life jacket, whistle, flares," Hooper said. "Been real fortunate we've never been stranded out here."
Johnson said when they approach a vessel it's not because the boater is doing something wrong, but rather making sure people are following the rules of the water, from life jackets to fishing regulations.
That includes commercial vessels too. And when it comes to drinking and boating, game wardens said it's just like driving a car.