Wednesday, August 28, 2013 2:20 pm

The Labor Day holiday, the final major weekend of the 2013 summer boating season is Aug. 30-Sept. 2. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wants to emphasize the use of life jackets while boating in a safe and responsible manner.

The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the watch for dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operation.

So far in 2013 on Tennessee waters, there have been 14 incidents resulting in 17 fatalities. There have been 68 injury accidents and 43 property damage accidents reported. TWRA boating officers have made 46 BUI arrests.

There were two boating fatalities over the 2012 Labor Day weekend.

Rain across much of the state limited the normal volume of boaters last year. TWRA officers recorded two BUI arrests.