The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is offering courtesy boat inspections this Labor Day weekend, including at popular Lexington County locations on Lake Murray. These inspections aim to ensure boaters have the required safety equipment and valid boat and motor registrations without issuing citations for violations.
On Saturday, September 5, SCDNR officials will be at the Lake Murray Dam boat landing from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to conduct these voluntary checks. Another opportunity for Lexington area boaters will be on Labor Day itself, Monday, September 7, when inspections are scheduled at Dreher Island, also on Lake Murray, during the same hours.
These courtesy inspections allow boaters to correct any issues found on the spot without penalty. The SCDNR emphasizes safety on the water, particularly during busy holiday weekends when Lake Murray and other bodies of water see increased activity. The agency encourages all boaters to be familiar with safety regulations and to ensure their vessels are properly equipped before heading out.
Lexington County is known as the Lake Murray Gateway, with the 50,000-acre reservoir being a signature asset for recreation and tourism. The presence of SCDNR at key landings like the Lake Murray Dam and Dreher Island underscores the importance of safe boating practices for local residents and visitors enjoying the lake.
Statewide, SCDNR is conducting inspections at various public boat landings. Other locations include Battery Creek Boat Landing in Beaufort County and Wappoo Cut in Charleston County on Saturday. On Sunday, September 6, inspections are planned for Seneca Creek on Lake Hartwell in Anderson County and Mega Ramp in Berkeley County. Additional locations on Labor Day include Lemon Island in Beaufort County and Carroll Campbell Boat Ramp in Georgetown County.
Boaters who wish to report violations at other times can contact the SCDNR directly by calling 1-800-922-5431 or dialing #DNR on a cell phone.
