For many on this warm week, getting in the boat and heading down the coast or a river is the perfect way to cool off, but one law enforcement agency is trying to help boaters before they break the law.
Dennis Brown and his family were ready to get in the water Saturday afternoon at the Conway Marina, an activity they do almost every weekend. First though, Brown stopped by the dock for a free inspection.
"I'd rather know that I'm safe then go in the water and get a ticket," he said.
Members of the Department of Natural Resources looked over boat after boat this morning as a courtesy. In just about five minutes, boaters got the rundown on any laws they might have broken.
First Sgt. Joe Ard with DNR said they were checking for safety equipment, some type of sound producing device, boat registration, boats correctly numbered, motor decals, and wearable life jackets.
"If you got a child that weighs 60 pounds, its hard for them to wear and adult life jack they put it on and they go in the water and the life jacket slips right off of them," Ard said.
"I was kinda surprised to know my extinguisher was dead," Brown said.
If boaters were in violation, DNR gave them the opportunity to fix the problem instead of issuing a fine, which typically runs a minimum of $110 to $160, Ard said.
DNR officers will be conducting another round of free boat inspections Sunday from 10 a.m to Noon at the Carroll Campbell Landing in Georgetown County.
