Boating Safety for Year-Round Boaters

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RICHLAND COUNTY (WOLO)– Just because Monday marks the official end of boating season doesn’t mean the end of boating on Lake Murray. “That’s just on the calendar. There’s people out here everyday, all year long,” says Lt. Mark McColman with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. No matter what time of year boaters hit the water, R-C-S-D says theres a few things they should keep in mind to stay safe, starting with life jackets. According to Lt. McColman,”We’ve found them where they’re still wrapped in plastic and they’re not considered a life jacket until they’re out of the plastic. A lot of people don’t inspect them you can have mold and mildew on them, they’ll start to fray and when they tear they’re not considered a life jacket either.” In addition to life jackets, officials say other safety equipment infractions are the most common offenses they see on the lake. Lt. McColman says,”Their lights don’t work, their horns don’t work, the don’t have any whistles no sound audible device, not enough life jackets it’s just an array of everything.” But according to boaters, the most dangerous obstacle on the water is other inexperienced boaters. “Boats can get away from you. You don’t have to have a license to drive a boat so people who go out and buy boats don’t know how to operate a boat and that’s a big issue too,” says lifelong boater Sean Law. Even though it’s not required, RCSD recommends that everyone take a boaters education course before getting behind the wheel. Lt. McColman tells ABC Columbia,”We’re caught kids out here, 16 years old and he had never been through any boating course never been on a boat before in his life.” And of course, RCSD reminds to moderate alcohol consumption, because even on water, drinking and driving is against the law. According to Lt. McColman,”They just don’t know between the movement on the water, the sun beating down on you and then drinking what kind of effect it has on you. Much more than it would be on land.” Officials say these tips mixed with a little common sense will make the summer fun last a little longer.