DNR Promoting Boating Safety With Inspections at S.C. Lakes

Officers from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources will be conducting courtesy safety inspections at public boat landings.

The inspections are part of an effort to keep state waterways safe during the Memorial Day weekend, which is considered the first blast of summer and one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters.

In addition to the safety inspections, the agency is also trying to increase the awareness of boating safety and the dangers of drinking while operating a boat. (See the attached video)

DNR will check boats for items such as required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Boaters will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.

"Boaters should pay special attention with keeping their safety equipment up to date," said Col. Chisolm Frampton, deputy director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. "Boaters should inspect their lifejackets to ensure that they are in good serviceable condition and without trs or holes. The boat operator is responsible for having a proper fitting U.S. Coast Guard type II lifejacket for all passengers on board. It is especially important to check the size and fit of lifejacket for children."
           
To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the DNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431. For a copy of South Carolina's boating regulations, to find out about local boating safety courses or to obtain a free float plan form contact the DNR Boating Safety Office at 1-800-277-4301.

Safety checkpoints:

Sunday, May 27

• Alex Harvin — Lake Marion — 10 a.m. to noon — Clarendon Count
• Billy Dreher Island — Lake Murray — 10 a.m. to noon — Newberry County
• Garris Landing (Morres) — ICW on South End of Bulls Bay — 10 a.m. to noon — Charleston County
• Greenwood State Park — Lake Greenwood — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Greenwood County
• Lake Murray Dam — Lake Murray — 10 a.m. to noon — Lexington County 
• Lake Wateree — Clearwater Cove Landing — 10 a.m. to noon — Kershaw County
• Lake Wylie — Ebenezer Landing — 10 a.m. to noon — York County
• Little Pee Dee River — Galivants Ferry Landing — 10 a.m. to noon — Marion County
• Low Falls — Lake Marion — 10 a.m. to noon — Calhoun County
• Main Ramp — Lake Bowen — 2 to 4 p.m. — Spartanburg County
• Murrells Inlet Landing — Murrells Inlet/Atlantic Ocean — 10 a.m. to noon — Georgetown County
• Pinckney Island Landing (C. C. Haigh, Jr.) - Mackay Creek - 10 a.m. to noon — Beaufort County
• River Forks Boat Ramp — Lake Hartwell — 2 to 4 p.m. — Anderson County
• Wappoo Cut Landing — ICW south of Charleston Harbor — 10 a.m. to noon - Charleston County

Monday, May 28

• Gap Hill Landing — Lake Keowee — 10 a.m. to noon — Pickens County         
• Parksville Boat Landing — Lake Thurmond — 10 a.m. to noon — McCormick County