S.C. boating deaths up; safety officials on alert

Officials are on high alert now that the state has seen more boating fatalities to date this year than it did for all of 2009.

As of Friday, there were 15 boating fatalities statewide - two in Horry and Georgetown counties - compared to 11 statewide in 2009, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. Of the 11 last year, one was in Horry County and three were in Georgetown County, where three Sandy Island residents died on their way home during a storm.

"There are more boats and more people on the water, but the same amount of space of water to use," said Lt. Robert McCullough of DNR. "It puts a heavy concentration on the waters."

McCullough said the warmer weather this year contributes to people's earlier-than-usual recreational water use.

Typically people take their boats out for the first time around the Memorial Day weekend, which is one of the biggest boating weekends of the year, officials said. That follows National Safe Boating Week, which began Saturday and runs through Friday.

Despite budget cuts and staff reductions, DNR officials said they plan to be as visible as they can during Memorial Day weekend to remind people about safety. During the boating season, 10 of a possible 213 DNR officers will work in Horry and Georgetown counties, officials said.

"We're trying to have a presence so we can prevent any more fatalities," McCullough said.

DNR officials also plan public service announcements, including joint announcements with with the S.C. Highway Patrol about drinking and driving on land and water. A series of free boat inspections at various boat landings will also be on offer over the holiday weekend.

"As people get ready for the season, they should go through all of their equipment and make sure everything is working properly," said Mike Anderson, director of the American Boating Association in Centerville, Mass. "Life jackets and floatation devices should still be serviceable and safe."

Life jackets, McCullough said, prevent drowning 80 percent of the time. Of the 15 boating fatalities this year, 10 were due to drowning, McCullough said.

Anderson said there are a variety of life jackets for people of all ages and sizes that are comfortable and safe.

"Kids need to always wear a life jacket," Anderson said. "Floatation devices will save people's lives."

Last year saw the lowest number of fatalities statewide in several years. There were 29 boating fatalities in South Carolina in 2008, up from 16 in 2007 and 14 in 2006, DNR data shows. No boating fatalities have been reported in Brunswick County, N.C., so far this year, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

N.C. officials reported two fatal boating incidents statewide so far this year, and 19 statewide in 2009.

An Horry County man suffered serious head injuries when his boat capsized April 18 on the Intracoastal Waterway in Horry County.

Mitchell Harrelson remains hospitalized at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, relatives said, after his boat capsized and hit him in the head, according to a DNR report.

A benefit concert was held Sunday for Harrelson, but officials would like to prevent the need for benefits by preventing injuries.

"We're on alert earlier than usual," McCullough said. "This is going to be a busy season."