DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
May 16, 2012
DNR courtesy boating inspections set during Memorial Day weekend
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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 some public boat landings.
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.
"Boaters should pay special attention with keeping their safety equipment up to date. Boaters should inspect their lifejackets to ensure that they are in good serviceable condition and without tears 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. Our courtesy boat inspections are a proactive way to give boaters this opportunity before launching their vessels," said Col. Chisolm Frampton, deputy director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. 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.
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.
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
More News
- Gov. Haley appoints new DNR Board Chairman
- DNR courtesy boating inspections set during Memorial Day weekend
- S.C. Natural Resources Board meets May 23 at Santee Coasta
- Students Compete in the 16th Annual SC Envirothon
- Author visits S.C. heritage preserves as he writes book on Southeastern grasslands
- Oyster season closes May 15, clam season to close May 31
- Statewide deer harvest increases slightly in 2011
- Season’s first loggerhead sea turtle nest is found
- Artificial 'Reef-Ex' project 2012 dedication ceremony June 23
- DNR offers guidelines for dealing with bears/report a sighting on the web
- DNR schedules youth fishing events around the state
- DNR continues to add dates to Family Fishing Clinics
- Aiken County WMA opens to the public Saturdays in May
- Camp Wildwood of South Carolina open for 2012 registration
- Freshwater fishing trends
- Saltwater fishing trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
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