The Missouri Highway Patrol will have its marine division out in force at the upcoming Lake of the Ozarks Shootout boat race, according to a news release.
The event is being held on the main channel near the Hurricane Deck Bridge and will take place from approximately 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 26, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 27.
On Aug. 26, boating traffic will be restricted to no wake, idle speed from the 31.5-mile marker to the 36-mile marker of the main channel due to the event. The no wake, idle speed restriction will begin 30 minutes prior to the event start time.
On Saturday only, the no-wake zone will be extended to approximately the 24-mile mark from 2-5:30 p.m. to help facilitate a safer environment on the lake as people leave the event and to help prevent property damage associated with the large amount of boating traffic returning downstream.
On Aug. 27, boating traffic will be restricted to no wake, idle speed from the 31.5-mile marker to the 36-mile marker of the main channel. The no wake, idle speed restriction will begin 30 minutes prior to the event start time and will continue to be enforced up to one hour after the last race on Sunday.
The race course itself will stretch from approximately the 33-mile marker to the 34.7-mile marker on the southwest side of the main channel. There will be a 400-foot buffer zone between the race course and the designated spectator area. Boaters wishing to enter or exit coves blocked by the race course during the event will be allowed to do so upon the signal of Missouri Highway Patrol marine operations troopers, or other authorized event personnel, at the earliest and safest opportunity.
Anchoring will be allowed in the designated spectator area on the northeast side of the main channel. Event volunteers on the water will assist spectators in locating the designated spectator area and assist with safely anchoring vessels.