Authorities are urging boaters to take extreme caution on the Alabama waterways during the busy Memorial Day weekend.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Marine Patrol Division assistant commander Mark Fuller says they are urging caution to boaters because alcohol and lack of lighting are common factors in accidents and fatalities.
Fuller says marine patrol officers usually work on a probable cause basis when it comes to boating under the influence.
The ALEA says there have been 15 accidents with seven fatalities on the state's lakes and rivers so far this year. Last year, there were 25 accidents with six fatalities.
In 2014, there were 73 accidents with 13 fatalities. There were 61 accidents with 10 fatalities in 2013.