Safety first: Use a life jacketHoliday weekend will be a busy one By Andy Paras (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, July 4, 2008
Mic Smith A scene that will be repeated many times today and through the weekend — boaters launching their boats at the Wappoo Landing. 
Mic Smith Michael Zerbst (left), of Hanckel Marine, hops to it after hooking up the boat of Hal Frampton to Frampton's trailer at the Wappoo Landing on Thursday. Frampton, from James Island, didn't get his weekend off to a great start after having engine problems. 'Little technical problem, goes along with boating,' Frampton said. How to report violationsTo report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, contact the DNR toll-free, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-922-5431. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will conduct courtesy safety inspections at the following public boat landings today and this weekend from 9 a.m. to noon. The statewide list is available at www.dnr.sc.gov. Buck Hall Landing - today. County Farm Landing - today Canal Lakes Resort - Saturday Wappoo Cut - Saturday Remley's Point Landing - Sunday Folly Landing - Sunday Twelve of the 14 people who have died in South Carolina waters this year were not wearing life jackets. U.S. Coast Guard and state Department of Natural Resources officials emphasized that number Thursday to underscore the need for life jackets this holiday, one of the year's three most popular weekends for boating. Sixteen people died all of last year in boating accidents in South Carolina, records show. "If those folks had been wearing life jackets, 12 of them would have been alive today," said Col. Alvin Taylor of the state Department of Natural Resources. "If you have it and you wear it, if you have a situation you don't expect, you'll survive that." Thousands of boaters are expected to be out in Charleston Harbor tonight for a fireworks show. Officers from both agencies will be patrolling the waters this weekend to educate boaters and to ticket anyone breaking the laws. They said their main objective is to make sure everyone has a safe holiday. "Most importantly, use good, sober, common sense when operating in the water this weekend and every weekend," DNR Sgt. Angus MacBride said. William Lindsay, officer in charge with the U.S. Coast Guard, said they'll be looking to make sure everyone has the necessary equipment, such as life jackets, flares and horns. He said boaters also should file a boat plan that will make it easier for the Coast Guard to find them if they get lost. All children 12 and under are required to wear life jackets on boats 16-feet or shorter. MacBride said they will give T-shirts and a "citation" for a free Wendy's Frosty to any child they see wearing a life jacket. Officials said everyone should designate a sober captain to operate the boat, as boating while intoxicated carries stiff punishment. "We want the people to realize that while it may be fine to have one or two, the Coast Guard would really like that to be close to zero," Lindsay said. "Alcohol and the water — boating — doesn't always work out." With thousands crowding the water ways and landings this weekend, officials also encouraged people to arrive at their destinations early. "We see a lot of access problems with people showing up late and having to find a boat landing in use that's suitable," MacBride said. "We'll have officers in the water all day and night to handle any problems that might arise." DNR officials also will have courtesy inspections at various landings this weekend. Officers will not issue tickets to those not in compliance with safety regulations during the inspections. "If you happen to have something wrong, we'll identify it for you and correct it for you before you get into the water," MacBride said. Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 3 comment(s)
Posted by Thomas1776 on July 4, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amazing that drinking while operating a boat is seldom enforced. One way to deter it is to check coolers at the boat landings before a boat is launched in the water. And don't forget about the public drinking laws.
Posted by ForPnC on July 4, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No drinking and driving your boat!
WEAR A LIFE JACKET!
Posted by Neponset on July 5, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem is that a lot of folks buy a boat and start to use it without any knowledge of how to operate it safely. Like hard hats for bikers, life vests are the last resort and the news media makes too much of accidents where they were not worn. The deal is to be smart enough to avoid situations where a life vest is needed. They are hot in our climate! I liked the old situation where a life cushion was acceptable - it was there under your butt and if you needed it, it would be close at hand.
For you duffers, get educated either thru self study or thru some course.