Swimming around marinas and boat docks carries a lot of risks for those who love the lake, including electric shock.
TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division Sargent Dustin Buttram said marinas hold hundreds of boats, meaning they are heavy traffic areas. Buttram said the congestion has gotten worse as boat sizes have increased.
“Those boat operators are coming, trying to dock, getting fuel,” Buttram said. “It just can be hard to see those swimmers in the water as well. So just as a boaters versus swimmers aspect, it’s just a very hazardous area to be in the water.”
Buttram said the boats themselves present a danger because of their sharp motors and propellers. Buttrum said he preaches spatial awareness to both boaters and swimmers who choose to swim around marinas.
Buttram said if a boat is approaching, swimmers should try to get the boaters attention. He suggests splashing and making noise to alert an operator.
Buttram said swimming at marinas is common, especially around houseboats. He said it is common to see kids coming in and out of the water. In addition, Buttram said in most incidents where swimmers are injured by boats, the swimmer is part of the boat operator’s party.
Buttram said the water itself can also present a hazard to marina swimmers.
“Those marinas themselves offer a danger as well with all the electricity running through those docks and in the water,” Buttram said. “Most every marina that I know of on our lakes, the Center Hill, Cordell Hull and Dale Hollow area, it’s pretty well marked that it’s a hazard to be swimming in the water and the fear of electric shock, that current running through the water is a real hazard swimming in closer to those marinas.”
Buttram said the electrical risk also exists at people’s personal docks. He said people should make sure that people who have electrical components, such as a boat lift, should make sure they are inspected and up to code.
Buttram said that there are safer places for people to swim than around marinas.
“We try to encourage everyone to stay out of the main channels of a lake, and go toward some of these longer necks, longer coves that they can get away from that main source of travel,” Buttram said. “It would be better for everybody. A little more peaceful for them, less waves to deal with, and they can kind of get back in a cove and anchor out. That just seems to be the easiest way for everybody t enjoy the day.”
Buttram said swimmers should always wear a life jacket in the water, as doing so significantly reduces the risk of drowning.
