The Fourth of July will be one of the busiest days on the water, as many people are off for the holiday and looking for ways to stay cool and celebrate. 

Before you hit the water for Independence Day, there are some things you should know before you go out.

First, there is a list of items required by the Coast Guard items to ensure safety on the boat and in the water. This includes life preservers for every person on board, a stress flag, a fire extinguisher, paddles, a floatation device, and a noisemaking device, like a whistle or a horn.

“A lot of people are traveling to different bodies of water. This weekend, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the lake and the channel, the shallow areas and even the different rules that lakes might have,” said Zach Walsh with Alpin Haus. “For instance, Lake George has a speed limit where the Sacandaga does not. Also super important to clean your boat before traveling to different bodies of water. Make sure you’re getting all those invasive species off of the hull.”

Anyone interested in getting their boating license can take classes online or in-person.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, all operators of a motorized vessel will need to obtain their safety certificate, regardless of age or vessel size.