The Smith Mountain Lake Association Water Safety Council and
local law enforcement agencies will create no-wake zones in the water around 4th of July
fireworks displays to increase safety for everyone who enjoys the displays on the water.

Boats with flashing amber and red lights will help boaters identify the boundaries of the no-wake
zones near the July 4 Parkway Marina Fireworks. The area around the Mitchell’s Point Marina
fireworks display on July 5 will also be considered to be a no-wake zone.

Boaters are asked to enter the no-wake area at idle speed so as not to throw wakes. After the
fireworks have ended, boaters should depart slowly, and accelerate to safe nighttime cruising
speeds only after they’ve left the no-wake zone.

The no-wake zones have been set up for the last 17 years to help keep boaters safe. They are
credited with minimizing accidents on the lake during these busy events and adding to the
enjoyment of watching fireworks from the water.

All people attending by boat should also wear properly fitting life jackets. Boaters should keep
navigation lights on and be vigilant about operating safely among all the boats in the area.
“If the weather’s good, we’ll likely have several thousand boats arriving to watch the fireworks
those evenings,” said Cpt. Duane Amos of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “Skippering a
vessel at wake-producing speeds in such congested areas is considered reckless operation, a
citable offense that no boat owner wants on his or her record. Courteous wake-free operation in
the viewing areas will help keep everyone on the water safe and comfortable.”