Irresponsible boaters damaging property, urged to stay off the Waccamaw River

State officials are urging recreational boaters on the Waccamaw River to cancel sightseeing tours through flood zones because the high wakes are pushing waves of the mucky water through homes already damaged by the historic storm.

Residents in Pitch Landing, Crabtree Swamp, Savannah Bluff and Bucksport have complained that many boaters are only adding to their predicament, which is also a “new and different” problem for the Department of Natural Resources, said Capt. Robert McCullough.

“We’re getting wakes where there has never been a wake before — up in people’s houses,” McCullough said.

Agency law enforcement officers aren’t targeting speeders so much as trying to keep boaters off the water, but repeat offenders who damage property would be ticketed. To complain about speeding boaters who are damaging property, residents should call 800-922-5431.

“Unless there’s a dire need to be there, stay off the waterway — let it get back down. We’re very concerned about debris that people can’t see” including trees and docks, McCullough said.

“We also recommend you wear a life jacket just because of all the debris — you can easily get knocked overboard and it could become a tragedy instead of a funny story,” McCullough said.

Property owners in the flood zones are being asked to secure propane tanks and appliances to prevent the equipment from becoming part of the floating debris. If tanks get flooded, homeowners are advised to turn off the gas supply and contact their service providers.

The National Weather Service expects the Waccamaw River to recede about 2 feet by Friday from the near-record crest of more than 16 feet last week.

“It’s going to be a slow process,” McCullough said.

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Irresponsible boaters damaging property, urged to stay off the Waccamaw River."