DAYTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – Law enforcement is in full force this Labor Day holiday weekend both on the road, and on the water.

Officers from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife are going to be out in full force this holiday to ensure everyone is being safe while soaking in the last weekend of summer.

“We are looking for navigation lights once it gets dark,” said Conservation Officer Christon Cornett. “We are looking for kids under 12 wearing lifejackets. Making sure people are being safe while they are out boating today. This weekend especially is kind of the last big weekend for boating.”

There are two main points officers like Cornett will be emphasizing to make sure people safe. The first, life vests.

“Especially for young children under 12, it is important for them to have a life jacket on,” Cornett explained. “This will ensure that if they go under the water and are knocked unconscious that their head will stay above water so that they can breathe. If they have this on, it is a law it is a requirement, it is one we always issue a citation for because it is a safety violation.”

The second, boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Cornett said this is something extremely important because people tend to associate drinking and driving only with their car.

“People will say, I wouldn’t drink and drive a vehicle but they’ll drink and drive a boat, they don’t look at it the same,” Cornett said. “We look at it differently because you are surrounded by water which is something that can kill you. We don’t want an accident to happen like that so we tell people it is just as important to not drive a boat as it is to not drive a vehicle when you have been drinking.”

If you are caught breaking the law out on the water, you can expect fines ranging from anywhere between $50 and $500.

There is also the possibility of jail time.

At the end of the day, this is all to ensure safety.

“We don’t want to see anybody get hurt,” said Cornett. “We don’t want to have to work those accidents. Those are the stuff we are after. Safety is the main thing. We want people to have fun. Everybody wants to go boating. I enjoy boating in my time off as well even though I work it. So but safety is out main concern.”

One other thing to remember this weekend while on the water, make sure your boat is registered correctly with all the proper tags.