Guide to safe days on SML

Smith Mountain Lake is one of Virginia’s most popular recreational destinations, attracting boaters, swimmers, and anglers throughout the year. With its beauty and popularity comes a shared responsibility: ensuring safety, respecting others, and preserving the lake’s natural environment.

Practicing proper boating safety and etiquette helps everyone enjoy the water while protecting this valuable resource.

Boating Safety Tips

Before heading out, ensure your vessel is in good working condition and equipped with essential safety gear, including wearable life jackets for every passenger, a fire extinguisher, navigation lights, and signaling devices. Federal law requires children under 13 to wear life jackets when a boat is underway, but it’s wise for everyone to wear one, regardless of age. Inflatable life jackets are lightweight and comfortable to wear but be aware that they are not approved for people younger than 16.

Boats 16 feet and longer must also have a throwable flotation device which must be kept immediately available, not stowed in a closed compartment or below deck.

Stay aware of weather conditions. Thunderstorms can develop quickly over the lake. Avoid operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, as it significantly increases the risk of accidents and is strictly enforced by law enforcement on the lake.

Maintain a safe speed and stay to the right-hand side of the lake, especially in crowded areas like the S-turn near the SML State Park. Avoid these areas if you’re fishing or participating in towing sports like skiing, wakeboarding, or wake surfing.

Use Nighttime Navigation Lights

When boating after dark, proper lighting is essential for safety. These include red and green sidelights to indicate the port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the boat, along with a white all-around light. Using the correct lights helps other boaters determine your direction and avoid collisions.

Avoid using overly bright or distracting lights like docking lights or colorful decorative lights that could impair another operator’s vision or obscure your navigation lights. Before heading out after dark, check that all lights are functioning properly and keep a flashlight onboard for emergencies.

Boater Safety Education Helps Keep Everyone Safe

Everyone operating a personal watercraft (PWC) or a powerboat with 10 horsepower or more in Virginia must meet Virginia’s requirement for boater safety education. Visitors from out-of-state must satisfy the education requirements of their home state.

The US Power Squadron, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources all offer 8-hour in-person courses. In addition, the Boat/US Foundation offers a free online course that you can take any time.

You’ll learn about boating regulations, navigation aids and “rules of the road”, anchoring, knots, and how to handle on-the-water emergencies.

You can find available in-person courses from all course providers at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/73. The Boat/US online course is found at https://www.boatus.org/virginia.

Whichever course you choose, you’ll not only satisfy Virginia’s requirements but will also learn valuable skills to help you have a fun and safe time on the water!

Free Vessel Safety Checks Offered

If you already have the necessary safety education, consider getting a vessel safety check. A vessel safety check is a thorough review of your boat’s equipment and overall condition to ensure it meets safety standards and regulations.

Safety checks are conducted by volunteer marine safety examiners with US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron, and cover essential items such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, navigation lights, sound-producing devices, and proper ventilation.

Examiners also verify vessel registration and check for compliance with federal and state requirements, helping boat owners identify and correct potential safety issues before heading out on the water. These inspections are risk-free and are only to inform and educate you about required safety equipment.

Safe Practices on and Around Docks

Equally important is dock safety, which is often overlooked. Boat operators should approach docks slowly and carefully, minimizing wake to avoid damaging other boats or the dock itself. When tying up, ensure lines are secure but not obstructing walkways.

Swimmers and bystanders should remain alert and avoid standing in areas where boats are maneuvering.

Here are some good safety practices for dock owners:

Regularly inspect docks for hazards such as loose boards, exposed nails, and slippery surfaces.
Consider having young children or non-swimmers wear life jackets while on the dock.
Be aware of potential electrical safety hazards at the dock and consider having dock wiring checked by a licensed electrician.

Guidelines to Make Lake Time Fun for All

Good etiquette on the lake ensures a pleasant experience for everyone. This includes respecting no-wake zones, which are clearly marked and designed to protect shorelines, docks, and other boaters.

Virginia requires no-wake speeds within 50 feet of shorelines and docks. A longer distance of 200 feet minimizes wake damage and is less disruptive to property owners. Keep in mind that you are responsible for any damage caused by your wake.

Many visitors enjoy the peacefulness of the lake, especially early and late in the day. So it’s courteous to keep music and noise to reasonable levels, particularly in quieter coves.

Help Keep the Lake Clean & Safe

Keeping the lake clean is a responsibility shared by all who use it. Trash, fuel spills, and other pollutants can harm wildlife and degrade water quality.

Bring a trash bag along on your adventures on land and water and dispose of waste properly. Never throw litter, fishing line, or food waste into the water.

Fueling should be done carefully to avoid spills. Any accidental discharge should be reported and cleaned up immediately. Check your bilge periodically for fuel or oil that could pose a fire hazard or contaminate the water.

When washing down in the water or on a boat lift, avoid using detergents or cleaning chemicals that will run off into the lake. Use extreme care while performing maintenance tasks like oil changes over the water. Better yet, haul out the boat to avoid the risk of any spills.

Participating in local cleanup efforts or simply picking up stray debris when you see it can make a meaningful difference.

More Resources to Help You Enjoy SML

There are several resources available to answer your lake safety questions. Smith Mountain Lake Association answers common questions on the FAQ page. The SML Regional Chamber of Commerce offers many resources for residents and visitors at the Visitor’s Center located in the Bridgewater Plaza. Local marinas are also a great source of information.

By following basic safety practices and etiquette guidelines, residents and visitors alike can help ensure that the lake remains a safe, enjoyable, and beautiful destination for generations to come.