(KILR)— The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning to Iowa’s boating season. In an interview with KILR News, Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said safety should be the top priority when getting ready to take your boat out on the water.

Stocker says when you’re on the water be on the lookout for tree limbs or other large objects that can damage your boat.

She says it’s a good idea to file a float plan with a friend.

She says drunk boating can be just as dangerous as drunk driving on the road.

Stocker also urges boaters to take a boater safety education course. The top two safety violations in Iowa are having inadequate life jackets and operating too fast and too close to other vessels.