Boating Deaths on Lake Murray

 
2 More Night-time Boating Deaths on Lake Murray

I don't like to have to report this in my blog, but, I feel it's necessary as a reminder to others that boat on Lake Murray, especially for night-time boating. Certainly, we extend condolences to family and friends, but, this should be another alert related to boating safety on the lake, particularly for boating at night.


NEWS ARTICLE:  July 22nd Boating Accident at Lake Murray Kills Two People

This past Friday night, two people were killed at approximately 10:30 p.m. after their boat hit a dock extending 60 feet into the water at a residential home near Billy Dreher Island.  This is a typical boat dock length as most docks on Lake Murray are in the 50 to 75 feet length range. If the information in the news article is correct, the boat driver hit the dock 12 feet from the shoreline.   The causes may well be at least inattention and excessive speed.   The investigation is still ongoing.

Last year (May 1st), two separate boating accidents within one mile and 30 minutes of each other killed four people.   Alcohol was involved in both of these accidents.   At this point, there have now been 6 boating deaths at Lake Murray within a 14 month period.

The legal minimum distance for boaters to have NO WAKE from docks, the shoreline, other boats and swimmers is 50 feet.  Boaters should know that they should actually have more distance than this -- many states have much higher minimum distances and this state should also increase this distance to at least 75 feet or 100 feet. I see this 50 feet no wake minimum distance violated all the time at my lakeside home dock (even with a posted sign).

Boating Safety Reminders:

• No BUI  (Boating Under the Influence)
• SLOWER speeds at night
• Night-time boating requires even more attention than normal
• Maintain very safe distances from shoreline and docks

NEXT Blog Article:  Mel's NEW Boating Safety Page

Buying a Boat

Looking to buy your first boat or upgrade a boat?  You may need to persuade your spouse!

I found a cool resource at DiscoverBoating.com -- the Spousal Conversion Kit.   The website has several persuasion videos, tips, scripts and a "7 Days to Boat Ownership Guide."  it's all cool stuff.   It may be a resource you need.  Check it out at:

Spousal Conversion Kit for Buying a Boat

Discover Boating is a public awareness effort managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) on behalf of the North American recreational boating industry.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor and Resident
RE/MAX Metro Associates  (803) 388-8011
"Lake Murray - A Best Place in America to Live and Boat"
www.LakeMurray-SC.com
       

Lake Murray Scenes



Barbara on our PWC at Lake Murray's 5 Towers (Dreher Shoals Dam)

Boating on Lake Murray during the past few days provided some nice picture taking opportunities!

Tiki Gets a Kayak Ride

Panoramic Shot of 1.5 mile Dreher Shoals Dam
(Click for larger image size)

Mel Coker

Lake Murray's Realtor

RE/MAX Metro Associates

(803) 223-6214

Columbia / Lake Murray Real Estate

National Safe Boating Week

Boating Season has started on Lake Murray!
National Safe Boating Week is May 21 - May 27, 2011

Warm weather brings an increased level of boating traffic on Lake Murray.  Is your boat equipped for safety? Do you know boating basics and laws for operating a boat safely?

Last year (May 2010), in TWO separate accidents on Lake Murray, FOUR boaters were killed.  These two accidents happened happened within 30 minutes and one mile of each other. Both accidents involved alcohol consumption.

Nationally, 72% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those who drowned, 90% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Over 80% of the boaters who drowned were using boats less than 26 feet in length. Consistent with previous years, 75% of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

In 2009, South Carolina has one of the highest boater registration rates in the USA.  In fact, South Carolina is #3 in the South (behind only Florida and Texas).   In 2009, South Carolina had 3.4% of all boat registrations in the United States.  South Carolina also had 1.5% of boating accident deaths.   Nationally, the #1 contributing factor to boating accident deaths is excessive alcohol consumption.

Links for more South Carolina Boating information:

The Handbook of South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities

South Carolina Online Boating Safety Course and Exam

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Boating in South Carolina

Check a Watercraft/Motor Status

Check the weather:

Lake Murray Weather Station

Mel Coker's Columbia Weather Page

Boating Safety:

Lake Murray Power Squadron Boat Smart Course

National Safe Boating Council

Safe Boating Campaign

Boating Safety - U.S. Coast Guard

FloatPlan Central

Nationally in 2009, almost three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, eighty-four (84) percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket. 

Always wear your life jacket!

A safe boating reminder from Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates  (803) 223-6214

Protect Your Boat/Personal Watercraft Engine on Lake Murray

I love this stuff: STA-BIL Marine Formula Fuel Stabilizer

I've started using this product regularly in my pontoon outboard motor and personal watercraft.  Marine Formula STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment & Performance Improver contains DOUBLE the corrosion preventers and more than FOUR TIMES the fuel system cleaner than in Regular STA-BIL to prevent  corrosion and deposit build up in Marine Engines. Use AT EVERY FILL UP to protect your boat or other marine equipment from the damaging effects of Ethanol in the marine environment.  This stuff works!



STA-BIL is America's #1 selling marine fuel additive brand.  This keeps gasoline fresh, especially ethanol treated gasoline, and it protects engines.  The marine formula costs more per bottle (I buy the 32 ounce size), BUT, you are able to use less per treatment, so it's really less expensive!  One ounce treats 10 gallons; regular STA-BIL has a ratio of one ounce per 2 1/2 gallons.  One 32 ounce bottle treats up to 320 gallons of fuel for marine applications.  At the great Amazon price, that's only about 66 cents per 10 gallons of gasoline (regular STA-BIL would be $1.89 per 10 gallons).

BUY your STA-BIL Marine Fuel Stablizer from Amazon for the very best price (I ordered TWO 32 ounce bottles today):
Click Below to BUY NOW:
STA-BIL 22240 Marine Fuel Stabilizer - 32 oz.


Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident & Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214