With lots of sun and warm temperatures expected this Memorial Day weekend, Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officers are bracing for a busy weekend at the State's lakes and recreation areas.

As DNR Conservation Police Officers make their way around the boats especially, they will be looking for a number of things. Their first priority this weekend will be OUI's, or Operating Under the Influence. DNR Officer Ray Wichus says no one wants an intoxicated boater on the water and this will be a focus of Conservation Police not just this weekend, but every weekend.

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A second offense of an OUI the fines and penalties go up. According to officer Wichus, an accident on the water under the influence can turn into a felony offense very quickly. Officer Wichus says OUIs are not something DNR Officers take lightly.

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Life jackets will be the other area of focus  for DNR Officers. Wichus explains children 12 and under on a boat must have a life jacket on at all times and there must be a serviceable life jacket onboard for each person on the boat.

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There are also requirements regarding age of operating boats. Wichus says anyone under ten years old cannot be at the helm of a boat. Children ages 10 and 11 can operate the boat with a guardian onboard. Additionally, anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 must take a special boat safety course to be able to operate. And anyone over 18 years old can operate the boat or jet skis.

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Statistics compiled by the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement show that there were 103 reportable boating accidents in 2011, resulting in 70 injuries and 21 fatalities.  Those totals compare with 102 reportable boating accidents on Illinois waters in 2010, resulting in 73 injuries and 16 fatalities. There were 102 reportable boating accidents on Illinois waters in 2009, resulting in 71 injuries and 25 fatalities.