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DAVIDSON COUNTY — Boaters should be warned, those planning on heading on the water over the Labor Day weekend won't be alone.

Local and state law enforcement officers are already out patrolling looking for violators breaking the law. On a normal day, the water at High Rock Lake is mellow and peaceful. But on holiday weekends it becomes a hot spot, bustling with boaters.

Already this year there have been five deaths at High Rock Lake, many due to drowning.

"The vast majority of those accidents could have been prevented through the proper use of personal flotation devices," said Sgt. Anthony Sharum, with N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission.

In order to make sure that people stay safe this Labor Day Weekend, officers are bumping up patrols, looking for those violating the law.

"We check motor boats for safety equipment for safety equipment such as PFD's, fire extinguishers and other required equipment," said Sharum.

Officials said they are especially concentrating their efforts on those driving drunk.

"Over 20-percent of all fatalities across North Carolina involve alcohol, so we strictly enforce motor boating while under the influence," said Sharum

Wildlife officers say alcohol affects drivers of boats much more quickly than it does drivers of cars, and that's because of the uneasy waters and the effects from the hot sun.

"You can actually have alcohol on a boat, you can have an open container on a boat where in a car you can't, and that's what makes it worse," said Deputy Randy Holbrook of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office.

Conviction of Boating While Impaired is a class two misdemeanor which brings a maximum fine of $1,000 plus court costs. However, a conviction does not affect the persons divining privileges and does not place points on their license.