SCDNR to conduct courtesy boat inspections during Memorial Day weekend

SCDNR officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety equipment at public boat landings during the Memorial Day weekend. (Photo: SCDNR)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– If you plan on hitting the water during Memorial Day weekend, the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) wants you to be safe.

The agency says it will offer free boat inspections at public boat landings throughout the state.

The inspections ensure boaters have the required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations.

In an effort to keep people and waterways safe during the Memorial Day weekend boating safety and enforcement officers will perform quick but thorough inspections, says SCDNR.

Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections.

Instead, SCDNR says they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.

To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the SCDNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or dial #DNR on your cellular phone.

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 SCDNR boating safety office at 1-800-277-4301 or visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html.

Memorial Day weekend boat inspection locations (all inspections are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.):

Saturday, May 24:

• Anderson County: Twin Lakes Landing, Lake Hartwell, 10 a.m. to noon
• Berkeley County: William Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal, 10 a.m. to noon
• Charleston County: Wapoo Cut Landing, Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), 10 a.m. to noon
• Fairfield County: Molly Creek, 10 a.m. to noon
• Greenwood County: SC Highway 72 Landing at Break on the Lake, Lake Greenwood, 10 a.m. to noon
• Horry County: Little River Landing, 10 a.m. to noon
• Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam Landing, 10 a.m. to noon

Sunday, May 25:

• Beaufort County: Broad River Landing, 10 a.m. to noon
• Charleston County: Remley’s Point, 10 a.m. to noon
• Clarendon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion, 10 a.m. to noon
• Colleton County: Bennett’s Point, 10 a.m. to noon
• Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Landing, Lake Wateree, 10 a.m. to noon
• McCormick County: Dorn Landing, Lake Thurmond, 10 a.m. to noon

Monday, May 26:

• Beaufort County: Lemon Island Boat Ramp, 10 a.m. to noon
• Charleston County: Limehouse Landing, 10 a.m. to noon
• Georgetown County: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex Landing, 10 a.m. to noon
• Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam, 10 a.m. to noon
• Pickens County: South Cove Landing, Lake Keowee, 10 a.m. to noon
• York County: Allison Creek Park Landing, Lake Wylie, 10 a.m. to noon