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:
Check the weather:
Boating Safety:
Always wear your life jacket!
A safe boating reminder from Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates (803) 223-6214
