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August 30, 2010

DNR courtesy boating inspections planned for Labor Day weekend

In an effort to keep state waterways safe over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division will again be conducting courtesy safety inspections at some public boat landings.
           
The Labor Day holiday weekend is considered the last blast of summer and one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters. Boaters who choose to participate in the free inspections may do so at designated landings where the inspections are offered. It only takes a few minutes and will make your day safer and more enjoyable on the water.
           
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. Instead, they 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.
           
Boat operators are reminded that wearable personal floatation devices (PFDs or life jackets) are required for each person onboard. On boats 16 feet and longer throwable devices, such as flotation cushions, are required in addition to wearable devices. Life jackets must properly fit each individual, whether child or adult, and be serviceable without tears, holes or other damage or wear that would decrease the effectiveness of the device. More than 90 percent of all boating fatalities could be prevented with the proper use of life jackets.
           
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.
          
2010 Labor Day Courtesy Boat Inspections:
(Landing – Time – County)

September 3
            Enterprise Landing-ICW Socastee – 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Horry County

September 4
            Alex Harvin Landing-Lake Marion - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Clarendon
            Bennett's Point Ramp-Mosquito Creek/Ashepoo-9 a.m.-Noon-Beaufort/Colleton
            Big Man's Ramp/Hwy 391- Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Saluda
            Billy Dreher Island-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Newberry
            Buck Hall–ICW - 9 a.m.-Noon - Upper Charleston/Berkeley
            Dam (Irmo Side)-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Lexington
            Dorn Landing- Lake Thurmond - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - McCormick 
            Folly-Folly River - 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Lower Charelston/Dorchester
            Low Fall Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Calhoun
            New Peach Tree Landing–ICW - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Horry
            Pack's Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Sumter
            River Forks Boat Ramp-Lake Hartwell - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Anderson
            Riverfork Public Landing-Lake Greenwood - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Laurens
            Rocky Point Landing-Black River - 8 a.m.-11 a.m. - Georgetown
            Santee State Park-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Orangeburg

September 5
            601 Landing-Congaree River - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Richland
            Big Man's Ramp/Hwy 391-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Lexington
            Billy Dreher Island-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Newberry
            Clearwater Cove landing Lake Wateree - 1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Kershaw
            Conway Marina-Waccamaw River - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Horry
            Dam (Irmo Side)-Lake Murray 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Lexington
            Easterlings Landing-Lake Robinson - 2 p.m.-4 p.m. - Darlington
            Ebenezer Landing-Lake Wylie - 1 p.m.-3 p.m. - York
            Gallivants Ferry-Little Pee Dee River - 1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Marion
            Jim Rampey Rec Area-Lake Russell - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Abbeville
            Leeds Ave/Co. Farm-Ashley River-10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-Lower Chas./Dorchester
            Lemon Island Boat Ramp-Chechessee River - 9 a.m.-Noon - Beaufort/Colleton
            Low Fall Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Calhoun
            Pack's Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Sumter
            Parksville Boat Landing-Lake Thurmond - 12 p.m.-2 p.m. - McCormick 
            Pole Yard Landing-N. Santee River - 10 a.m.-1 p.m. - Georgetown
            Ralph Hamer-Quimby Creek - 9 a.m.-Noon - Upper Charleston/Berkeley
            Santee State Park-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Orangeburg

September 6
            99 Island Landing-Board River - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Cherokee
            Big Man's Ramp/Hwy 391-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Saluda
            Billy Dreher Island-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Newberry
            Billy Tolar Landing-Wateree River - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Richland
            Buckhill Landing-Lake Wateree - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Kershaw
            Dam (Irmo Side)-Lake Murray - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Lexington
            Dewitts Landing-Big Pee Dee River - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Florence
            East Bay Street (Ball Park Landing)-Sampit River - 8 a.m.-11 a.m. - Georgetown
            Gallivants Ferry-Little Pee Dee River - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Marion
            Garris/Moore's–ICW - 9 a.m.-Noon - Upper Charelston/Berkeley
            Hwy 34 Public Landing-Lake Greenwood - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Greenwood
            Low Fall Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Calhoun
            Main Ramp-Lake Bowen - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Spartanburg
            Nivens Creek Landing-Lake Wylie - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - York
            Pack's Landing-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Sumter
            Pinckney Island Boat Ramp-Mackays Creek - 9 a.m.-Noon - Beaufort/Colleton
            Riverland Terrace-Elliots Cut-ICW-10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-Lower Chas./Dorchester
            Santee State Park-Lake Marion - 9 a.m.-11 a.m. - Orangeburg
            Twelve Mile Park- Lake Hartwell - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Pickens
            White Oak-Lake Marion - 10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Clarendon

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