The final major weekend of the 2026 summer boating season is approaching with the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Sept. 5-7. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reminding all Tennesseans and its visitors to wear life jackets and boat safely and responsibly.

The TWRA aims to ensure that everyone who visits the waterways has an enjoyable experience. Labor Day weekend often brings heavy boat traffic to the state's lakes and rivers. TWRA game wardens will be present on the waterways, monitoring dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operations.

Labor Day is regarded as the third major holiday weekend of the summer boating season. The TWRA is pleased to report there were no boating-related fatalities during the previous major holiday weekends of this summer season, including Memorial Day and the July 4th holiday. So far this year, there have been 15 boating-related fatalities on state waters, compared to 17 at this same time in 2025.

Key Safety Reminders:

• Wear Your Life Jacket: Ensure you have a properly fitted life jacket accessible onboard the vessel for each person. Children under age 12 are required to wear a life jacket while the vessel is underway.
• BUI is Illegal: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and strictly enforced. BUI = DUI
• Monitor the Weather: Conditions can change quickly, so check local forecasts.
• Maintain Safe Speeds: Be mindful of your wake and respect other boaters, swimmers, and paddleboarders.