SCDNR to Offer Courtesy Boating Inspections During Memorial Day Weekend

In an effort to keep state waterways safe during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will again be conducting courtesy safety inspections at a number public boat landings throughout the state.

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is considered the first blast of summer and one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters. DNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick but thorough inspection 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. DNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.

The Memorial Day weekend courtesy boat inspections correspond to the National Safe Boating Week (May 19-25). The campaign reminds boaters throughout the boating season to practice safe and responsible boating, always wear your life jacket and be alert and aware while on the water. By practicing these simple steps you can save your life as well as the lives of the people boating with you. More about National Safe Boating Week at: www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

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 or visit the DNR website at www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html.

Courtesy safety inspections at the following locations and times:

May 26

• Alex Harvin – Lake Marion – 10 a.m. to noon – Clarendon County
• Billy Dreher Island – Lake Murray – 10 a.m. to noon – Newberry County
• Dorn Landing – Lake Thurmond – 10 a.m. to noon – McCormick County
• Fishing Creek Lake – Springs Landing – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Lancaster County
• Jim Rampey Rec Area – Lake Russell – 10 a.m. to noon – Abbeville County
• John P. Limehouse Landing – ICW on Stono River – 10 a.m. to noon – Charleston County
• Lake Murray Dam – Lake Murray – 10 a.m. to noon – Lexington County
• Lemon Island Landing (Edgar Glenn) – Chechesse River – 10 a.m. to noon – Beaufort County
• Low Falls – Lake Marion – 10 a.m. to noon – Calhoun County
• Main Ramp – Lake Robinson – 10 a.m. to noon – Greenville County
• Pick Hill Landing – Broad River – 10 a.m. to noon – Cherokee County
• Richardsons Landing – Lake Moultrie – 10 a.m. to noon – Berkeley County
• Riverfork Public Landing – Lake Greenwood – 10 a.m. to noon – Laurens County
• South Cove Park – Lake Keowee – 10 a.m. to noon – Oconee County
• The New Peach Tree Landing – ICW at Socastee – 10 a.m. to noon – Horry County

May 27

• Alex Harvin – Lake Marion – 10 a.m. to noon – Clarendon County
• 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 p.m. 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 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Anderson County
• Wappoo Cut Landing – ICW south of Charleston Harbor – 10 a.m. to noon – Charleston County

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