Outdoor columnist Dan Geddings: Boating safety

Boating safety is an important issue with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The SCDNR and other advocates have joined the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and Operation Dry Water to raise awareness about safe boating practices. The Operation Dry Water campaign will take place in South Carolina and nationwide over the Fourth of July holiday.

Operation Dry Water is a national year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. Law enforcement officers will be on heightened alert over the three-day holiday weekend. Unfortunately, the Fourth of July holiday is known for drinking, boating and deadly incidents.

According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. If you are found boating under the influence, your boat may be impounded, and you may be arrested. Penalties can include fines, jail and loss of boating privileges. Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Passengers under the influence can cause slips, fall overboard and suffer other dangerous accidents. The mission of ODW is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities.

With more than 11 million recreational vessels in the United States, millions of Americans are enjoying time on and in the water. In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,291 incidents that resulted in 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and $46 million in property damage.

South Carolina is seventh in the nation in the number of registered boats, with more than 567,000, according to SCDNR records. By comparison, North Carolina has about 376,000. Someone said recently that new boats are being sold every day, but they're not making any more water. More boats on our waters heighten the need for more emphasis on safety measures.

Safety equipment and regulations have evolved over the years. All boats must now have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket or Personal Flotation Device that fits properly for each person on board. Boats over 16 feet in length must carry a type IV throwable device. A fire extinguisher is required. Additional extinguishers are required in boats over 26 feet in length. Navigation lights must be on between sunset and sunrise. Flares are required for vessels in coastal waters. All boats must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a whistle or horn. A registration card and valid decal are required. Additional information is available online.

The July 4 holiday is the busiest weekend on state waters, and the SCDNR will be conducting courtesy boat inspections at certain boat landings around the state. SCDNR officers will perform a quick, but thorough, inspection for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration. Those not in compliance will not be ticketed during the inspection but will be given the opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat. SCDNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give tips on how to stay safe on the water.

Some local inspection sites on July 4 are listed below:

- Alex Harvin Landing, Lake Marion - 10 a.m. to noon

- Lake Wateree State Park, Lake Wateree - noon to 2 p.m.

- Lake Murray Dam, Lake Murray - 10 a.m. to noon

Boaters are reminded to be prepared and before setting out should make sure their equipment is in good working order and review a pre-departure checklist. File a float plan, or let someone know where you're going and exercise good judgment.

Email Dan Geddings at cdgeddings@gmail.com.