Summer-like weather has come a little early this year to the Lake of the Ozarks, and many locals are seeing the area come alive already.
Steve Lemens works as the head salesman at Glencove Marina in Lake Ozark, and he says this is some of the best weather he has seen at this time of the year.
"It has picked up dramatically since the weather has changed. I mean, we're seeing weather that was unprecedented in the last 10 years. 80 degrees in March is just a great example," said Lemens.
That means many are uncovering and de-winterizing their boats and personal watercraft, but that can also mean more issues with safety earlier in the year.
Captain Matt Walz of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division says folks still need to put safety first.
"Certainly boaters are getting the fervor to get out on the water, and there are a few precautions that they can take," he says.
The water patrol says not much has changed since last year as far as laws on the lake, but they still say common sense rules the day.
That includes inspecting your boat before going out, giving way to smaller watercraft on the lake, and always making sure you have enough life vests on board for everyone.
Lemens teaches people how to drive their new boats and says having the essentials goes a long way to keep everyone safe on the water.
"Safety equipment: ropes, buoys, life jackets. Make sure you have enough life jackets and [that] they're in good repair.”
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG