South Carolina DNR urges boating safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching and boaters getting ready to hit the waters, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to prioritize safety.
SCDNR officials say they are expecting the waterways to be extremely busy this upcoming holiday weekend and want to make sure boaters have everything they need to stay safe. Officials say there are easy ways to protect those on the boats, and say one of the most important things is keeping life jackets on board at all times.
Also make sure your fire extinguisher is working, you have your registration, whistles and horns, and a phone in case of emergencies.
The agency says they'll perform quick, but thorough, inspections for required safety equipment and proper registration.
Those who are not in compliance with regulations will not be ticketed, but instead, will have a chance to correct the problem before they launch their boat into any state waterways.
'We'll set up at a landing like we are here, and you'll just come down,' DNR conservation officer Jay Gregg said. 'We've got a checklist, and if you want us to come check your boat out, we'll be more than happy to do it. Like I said, we're excited about it. It's a good time, but we just want you to be safe. And this weekend is when everybody's pretty much coming out for the rest of the summer.'
Boating inspections will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the following locations:
Saturday:
Anderson County: Twim Lakes Landing, Lake Hartwell
Berkeley County: William Dennis Landing, Tail Race Canal
Charleston County: Wapoo Cut Landing, Intracoastal Waterway
Fairfield County: Molly Creek
Greenwood County: SC Highway 72 Landing at Break on the Lake
Horry County: Little River Landing
Lexington County: Lake Murray Dam Landing
Sunday:
Beaufort County: Broad River Landing
Charleston County: Remley's Point
Claredon County: Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion
Colleton County: Bennett's Point
Kershaw County: Clearwater Cove Landing, Lake Wateree
McCormick County: Dorn Landing, Lake Thurmond
Monday:
Beaufort County: Lemon Island Boat Ramp
Charleston County: Limehouse Landing
Georgetown County: Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex Landing
Lexington County: Lake Murray Sam
Pickens County: South Cove Landing, Lake Keowee
York County: Allison Creek Park Landing, Lake Wylie
* * *
Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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